SHE started doing pageants as a nine-year-old.
When she saw an advertisement for a modeling agency, she knew what she had to do.
She imagined herself walking the runaway, dressed up and changing the world.
Now, the 17-year-old is the International Junior Miss South Africa.
Xiluva Helani from Giyani, Limpopo, said she followed in her mother's footsteps. She also participated in pageants.
“My mum has always done pageants and seeing the confidence and purpose pageants came with, I simply followed in her footsteps,” Xiluva said.
She said when she was crowned the winner, she was overwhelmed with joy.
“It took a few seconds to realise that I had won to sink in. Cheers from the South African team made the moment memorable, and I couldn’t help but shed a few tears of joy.
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“It’s difficult to not compare yourself to others in the industry. I’ve come to learn that comparison is the thief of joy. I’m grateful to have grown in an environment that always reminded me that pageantry needed someone like me, just as I was,” she said.
Xiluva's advice to her peers: always remember that you're not meant to look or be like the next person.
“You were created by God who's intentional and perfect in everything He does. You're still young and trying to figure out who you truly are and have so much time to correct your mistakes to improve and grow as a person,” she said.
She said in the next 10 years, she aims to use her personal and professional growth to make a lasting impression as a construction engineer. Hopefully, she'll end up as a future Miss South Africa like Zozibini Tunzi and Ndavi Nokeri.
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