Mrs Eastern Cape finalist, Sibanye Galada-Makasi (27), from Matheko Village in Qunu, says she hopes to use her participation in the pageant as an inspiration to other aspiring models from rural areas that they can achieve their dreams, regardless of their backgrounds.
Galada-Makasi is the founder of QS Lulibo Foundation, which she founded last year and hopes to use as a vehicle to groom other aspiring young models from her village and surrounding rural villages.
Through the foundation, she has already hosted Miss Matheko in 2020 and plans to host Mr & Miss Rural this year, as a way of giving rural models a platform to showcase their talents.
“The foundation’s main goal is to champion rural youth development by having programmes such as offering assistance to matriculants with matric dance gowns and suits, assisting matriculants with online applications to tertiary institutions and helping struggling learners with their schoolwork, in addition to the annual pageants we plan to host,” said Galada-Makasi.
“The ultimate goal through all these initiatives is to boost the confidence and for the youth to believe in themselves that their dreams cannot be limited by their backgrounds,” she added.
Galada-Makasi has appealed to corporate sponsors and individuals alike to partner with her foundation, as it is currently hampered by a lack of resources.
She has also urged individuals who may have matric dance gowns and suits, as well as clothes to spare, to donate them to her foundation so that they can be used to help those in need.
Galada-Makasi can be contacted on 083 584 9114, or send an e-mail to sibanygalada@gmail.com for more information. She is also available on Facebook as Sibanye Galada and on Instagram @sibanyegalada.
