“We need to start believing that we are more than beautiful.  We are smart, we are driven and we are world changers. The potential we have is unbelievable and our beautiful South Africa has opened every door for us to dream and achieve beyond our wildest imagination. Let’s take this opportunity and use it to show the world that we can do it without losing our femininity.”

.. Sihle Makhanya Miss South Africa 2015 finalist!!

Miss South Africa 2015 finalist, Sihle Makhanya is 23 and hails from Panorama, Empangeni, and worked fulltime for Makhanya’s Services as a junior quantity surveyor technician intern. She is also completing her quantity surveyor diploma on a part-time basis. Sihle lives with her mom, dad elder brother and an elder sister, who runs an NGO that helps in rural development. For Sihle, growing up as the youngest was interesting and fun because she used to be a tomboy and often got herself into trouble.

Sihle is massively inspired by her parents and believes that they have worked hard all their lives to help the needy. “Using their skills, they have worked hand in hand King Nkosi Mzimela of Eshowe, Kwa-Zulu Natal, to help build a school for primary school children in the rural area. Their actions have shown me that you do not need a lot to make a difference in a person’s life. You can invest in helping people without expecting anything in return, and you can make a difference”, she says.

During her high school, Maths used to be Sihle’s favourite subject. She used to do student’s assignments and used to get paid for it. Sihle shares that at times used to do assignments for food. She says, “I was a boarder and some girls were day scholars, so if our lunch for the day in the kitchen wasn’t nice, I’d do assignments for sandwiches and sometimes money. I’d use that money to pay for my swimming classes as I was a good swimmer in those days.” Read about Refilwe Mthimunye, Miss South Africa 2015 finalist

When asked what role Sihle would play if she becomes the next Miss South Africa 2015, she said, “?I have a passion for my country. The opportunities it has afforded me as a young woman have been endless and now I want to say thank you through giving back. I’m excited to work with the different charities that the Miss South Africa organisation deals with, but I’d also like to use this platform as a voice for the community. I would really love to focus on being the voice for those who do not have one and empower young women.”