North-West University (NWU) alumnus and Miss South Africa contestant Mphontle Plaatjie recently paid the Vanderbijlpark Campus a courtesy visit as part of her Miss SA tour, leading up to the selection of the top 10 finalists.  

The former NWU law student and Arts and Culture committee member is among the Miss South Africa top 30 vying for the title of Miss South Africa 2022. During the next competition stage the public will be the fifth judge in selecting the top 10 finalists.

The 25-year old, originally from Waldrift in Vereeniging, also holds an LLM degree from the University of Cape Town, and is currently working as a governance trainee and Youth Council member at Vodacom. 

Mphontle was given a warm reception by Prof Linda Du Plessis, acting vice-chancellor, and Prof David Modise, acting deputy vice-chancellor for Vanderbijlpark Campus operations.

Delivering an inspiring message full of life and career advice, she motivated students to be focused and aim for greater heights.

Mphontle also shared her beauty pageantry journey and the failures and successes she has experienced thus far. She recalled how she gradually transformed from a “tom-boy” to a beauty queen after entering her first campus beauty pageant, and shared her disappointment of not making it to the top 30 during her first Miss SA competition attempt in 2020.

“When I did not make it to the top 30 in 2020 I was so disappointed. However, I have since realised that my mistake was to look at what others were doing instead of focusing on myself. This time around I decided to work on myself, exploring who I am and what my true aim in life is. I reached out to previous winners and asked them for pointers,” she explained. 

Expressing gratitude for her blossoming career, Mphontle said the Vanderbijlpark Campus was the starting point of all her achievements, and that the visit stirred up feelings of nostalgia.

“I owe my success to the values and education I received from this university. I hope this visit will also help to encourage and inspire other students.”

 “We are proud of Mphontle and wish her every success in this pageant and in her career,” said Prof du Plessis.

 Lethiwe Kubheka, arts coordinator said she found Mphontle’s message as extremely relatable.

“May Mphontle’s success inspire each and every student and staff member. By investing in the lives of our students we can continue to inspire them and remind them that it all starts here.”

The NWU community is invited to support and vote for Mphontle by visiting www.misssa.co.za/vote-for-me-2022 or downloading the Miss SA app (which allows one vote per voter).

 Prof David Modise, acting deputy vice-chancellor for Vanderbijlpark Campus operations, Mphontle Plaatjie, NWU alumnus and Miss South Africa contestant, and Prof Linda Du Plessis, acting vice-chancellor.