Award-winning transgender activist and artist Yaya Mavundla is billed to host the Miss World South Africa red carpet.
Mavundla will host the event alongside actor Lunga Shabalala and businessman Zareef Minty later in October.
Mavundla is no stranger to pop culture having grown up around the world of beauty pageants.
She recalls hosting her first pageant with fellow high school mate in Untunjambili, Kranskop in KwaZulu-Natal in 2003, where she grew up and attended her first phase of high schooling.
Mavundla went on to organise and sometimes participate in some of the queer pageants in Durban. Today, she is afforded an opportunity to be part of a national pageant as a host.
“For me, this is a perfect opportunity to continuously prove to both myself and society that as a transwoman, I am just as capable and deserving of these opportunities equally as heterosexual people,” Mavundla said.
“To have a woman such as Carol Bouwer telling me that I am brilliant and trusting me for this job is life-changing and a great affirmation.
“I can’t wait to interview some of our favorite stars on the red carpet together with Lunga and Zareef.”
Bouwer, who is the licence holder for the Miss World South Africa, emphasised the importance of celebrating Mavundla as a transgender woman.
She said Mavundla embodies Miss World South Africa values, which shine a spotlight on beauty and intelligence, among other things.
“Appointing Yaya for this mission is a reminder that being transgender is not fashion, we celebrate and love inclusion,” said Bouwer.
“It is absolutely essential for the young ones to see that they are worthy of opportunities no matter who they are.”
The inaugural Miss World South Africa 2023 will take place at The South African State Theatre in Pretoria on October 28.
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