Johannesburg – We love beautiful people and we’re so excited that Miss SA has a Transgender entrant, we had to find out more about the Naomi Campbell lookalike called Lehlogonolo Machaba.
Lehlogonolo Machaba was born and raised between Mabopane and Klipgat, Northwest and entered Miss SA because ‘I’d always dreamt of being a Miss SA and never thought I’d ever get a chance to participate until it was recently announced that Transgender Women can now enter, and it was my friend Sam Junior Mbatha who actually forced me to enter just before he was brutally murdered and burnt in the boot of his own car in what is believed to be a homophobic attack on June 17.
This made me even eager to go far in the pageant to not only represent the LGBTQI+ community but to also raise awareness toward the continued murder of the people in my community.
Through this journey I have received a lot of love and support from South Africans on social media and the best one to date has to be by transgender activist Yaya Mavundla who sent me a message when I entered and told me that she’ll be rooting for me all the way till the end.
But I must admit I had challenges because It took me a long time to be comfortable sharing my truth with everyone and the biggest mistake
I made was not accepting myself initially, but I’ve used it as a lesson to be honest with not only myself but everyone around me.
I’m so positive now that I encourage other young women to enter it doesn’t matter if you make it or not, the best part is actually putting yourself up for something you’ve always dreamt of doing.
Have you got any advice for our youth?
Believe in yourself fully even when people around you don’t. Be your own support, and surround yourself with likeminded people. Even the best people in life have had failures, dust yourself up and keep moving forward.
What would you like to see changed in S.A?
I’d like to see everyone regardless of gender expression or sexual orientation live in harmony. I would love for us women to not always live in fear of our lives being lost at the hands of a man. And most importantly for people to focus on themselves and not judge people for loving who they want to love.
Why is entering Miss SA so special for you?
Representation. Being the first transgender woman to make it to the top 30 is not only victory for me but also for every marginalized person in our county. It’s about time we see all types of people in the forefront.
Who is your favourite Miss SA?
My favorite Miss SA of all time has to be Basetsana Kumalo who’s not only broken barriers but also used the platform as an opportunity to build an entire empire. I aspire to be like her.
What’s your dream car?
Mercedes Benz C 63
Who is your favourite male local actor?
John Kani
Favourite local female actor?
Thuso Mbedu
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
On the cover of Vogue and being a keynote speaker at the UN and continuing to raise awareness for the LGBTQI+ community, showing my collections at fashion week, and breaking more boundaries.
Favourite book?
Montana Sky by Nora Roberts
Favourite film?
Avatar
Inspiring, beautiful and intelligent, we wish you the best Lehlogonolo Machaba make us proud. It’s the Top 30 and we hope you make it to the top 3 so you can get your dream car
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