Everyone has their one day

Published in 2016

Ntando is 24, a qualified teacher, and has a degree in Curriculum Issues. Passionate about South Africa’s youth and promotes living a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition and exercise in your pre-adult years.

She also happens to be the reigning Miss South Africa.

Ntando Kunene has been dreaming of – and working towards – her crown since she was a little girl. And now she plans on using her reign for good. Ntando is qualified to teach grade 4 to 7s and those are the kids she plans on positively affecting the most. “The little ones, those are my people,” says Nthando.

Just three months into her reign, she launched her ‘Your one day’ campaign which bestows random acts of kindness on deserving campaigns. In addition, she will be heading up the Miss SA winter drive campaign which will be donating gloves, scarves, beanies and socks to rural farm schools and will benefit over 1 000 kids.

“There are just so many challenges that we’re facing,” says Ntando, “I don’t want to box myself in but I want to focus on causes where I can make a tangible difference to lives.”

This beauty plans to continue the momentum of her reign next year to continue to support charities that are close to her heart, as well as to build the company she started two years ago – that’s right, your Miss South Africa is an entrepreneur as well.

The journey to the crown

Ntando has a very balanced and healthy view of her lifestyle. She’s naturally petite but she visits the gym daily and maintains a healthy diet. She loves running and the treadmill, she says, because it helps her to reduce stress and she believes exercise heals. She also has a healthy appetite and eats enough to fuel her regular training sessions and her busy days.

“I like to have my healthy snacks during the day,” she says, “I have a sweet tooth so I need to keep my mouth busy!”

But that’s not to say that she never cheats – Ntando enjoys her cheat meals. "If I cheat now it has to be once a week," she says, "and is has to be a good cheat meal, you can’t skimp a cheat meal." She likes to go out for a burger and chips but she also enjoys ribs, sauces, fried chips, and pastries. "I just like food in general,” she admits.

Ntando is focused on the future

In addition to her charitable focus, she wants to run a marathon eventually. Right now, she’s too busy to properly train for one but she wants to run a marathon that will be fun and will support a good cause.

Her final thought is, "The day I was crowned is the day I have always dreamed about since I was young. I want everyone to know that everyone has their one day too."