The Mayor of Polokwane, John Mpe, and some of his executive members, will form part of the delegation to welcome the newly crowned Miss Teen Model International, Pearl Mathebula, 17, on Wednesday, June 18, at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
Mathebula’s plane from Peru is scheduled to land at the Gauteng-based airport at 9am.
Also expected to give her a warm welcome will be some of her fellow students from Polokwane’s Capricorn High School, where the teen is in Grade 12.
Entered modelling at 15
Novice as she is, Mathebula entered the modelling industry just two years ago in 2022. The soft-spoken model announced her arrival after she was crowned the 2024/2025 Miss Teen South Africa.
This earned the teen, who hails from the rural village of Kotishing, a ticket to the 2025/2026 Miss Teen Model International. She ultimately beat other contestants to win the coveted crown on Sunday. The colourful event saw Mathebula clinch the international title against experienced models from across the globe.
Spokesperson for Polokwane Municipality, Thipa Selala, said: “Not only has Pearl Mathebula made the province of Limpopo proud. She has also raised the country’s flag high. More so given the fact that this competition was held on an international stage.
Mayor elated at the pride of Limpopo
“It is for this reason that Mayor John Mpe saw it befitting that he avails himself for this occasion. He will be among people who will be welcoming her home at the airport,” said Selala. He also urged interested parties not far from the airport to be part of the delegation that will be welcoming her.
Last week Mathebula told Sunday World that she was grateful to her mother, who raised her as a single parent. She qualified for Miss Teen Model International after winning the 2024/2025 Miss Teen South Africa last December.
