BUTTERWORTH-BASED Indiphile Mhlathi (6) has scored herself an enviable achievement – being selected as one of the 10 finalists at this year’s International Junior Miss South Africa (IJMSA) beauty pageant finals, taking place at the Sibaya Hotel in KwaZulu-Natal on October 6 to 10.
In addition to being a finalist, Indiphile is also the only finalist from the Eastern Cape.
But all that achievement can come to nothing if Indiphile’s unemployed mother, Asisipho (28), does not raise enough money to cover their return flight tickets, her daughter’s makeup, dress, and hairstylist costs, as well as an estimated R15 588 to be paid to the event’s organisers to cover pageant-related costs for the four-day period of the finals.
Having roped in the help of her family and relatives, Asisipho is also making an impassioned plea to businesses and individuals alike to contribute the little they can towards making her daughter’s dream of competing in the International Junior Miss South Africa finals a reality.
“My daughter is someone who loves herself and very passionate about modelling.
“This will be the very first time for her to compete in a beauty pageant which is something she has always been eager to do but previously could not compete due to age,” explained her proud mother, Asisipho.
“I cannot even sit her down and tell her that her hopes of competing in the finals are dependent on me securing the money needed for the costs of the trip, but I am optimistic that she will find sponsors to cover the expenses to go to the finals,” added Asisipho.
Express has seen a copy of a letter confirming Indiphile as one of the finalists, as well as expenses associated with being a finalist.
“She will have to cover the costs involved which include travel, accommodations costs and pageant- related which are estimated at R15 558 excluding travelling costs,” reads part of the letter.
The letter further gives a breakdown of monies due for Indiphile to compete in the finals including an entry fee of R2 500, registration fee of R700, an accommodation fee R7 400, travel costs which vary depending on mode of transport and costs associated with all the outfits for the duration of the five-day finals.
Scholarships will be awarded based on achievement throughout the weekend of the competition and service throughout the year as an International Junior Miss South Africa title-holder is also up for grabs.
Winners in each category will form part of a team that will represent South Africa at the international competition called International Junior Miss in 2022.
- People wishing to contribute or assist towards helping Indiphile compete in the International Junior Miss South Africa finals can contact her mother, Asisipho Mhlathi, on 076 622 9149 or send her an e-mail on mhlathiasisipho@gmail.com.
Alternatively, Asisipho can be reached on Facebook and Instagram as Asisipho Mhlathi.
Indiphile Mhlathi is currently in Grade 1 at Good Shepard Christian School in Butterworth.
