The 63rd Miss South Africa is all set to be host this year’s edition in October as the organization released a trailer announcement asking the potential aspirants to enter themselves for the competition a few weeks ago. In a history-making move, the Miss SA pageant has for the first time allowed transgender women to compete for the coveted crown.
Making history for trans-community in South Africa, Lehlogonolo Machaba has become the first transwoman applicant to enter Miss South Africa 2021. The organization’s decision has presented Nolo with the opportunity to potentially use the platform as a voice for her community.
This 24-year old fashion designer and small business owner has sent her entry video for the national pageant where she mentioned that she will be using the platform to represent the queer community and make people understand they are also human and deserve to live. “I strongly believe that it’s about time that someone raises the issues and creates awareness about matters that affect the LGBTIQ+ community. The killing of queer and trans identifying people in some parts of our country is devastating. Every day you hear of a queer person being killed in South Africa,” she began to explain.
Although Lehlogonolo Machaba is now an LGBTIQ+ activist who is firm and confident in who she is, she says that getting to this point was not easy. She says, “Growing up I was a very loud and energetic child. I carried myself like a girl and even behaved like one; this was confusing for my parents. I would sit when I had to pee so I’ve always known that I was not meant to be a boy. However, I wasn’t sure what was happening with me and only discovered that I am transgender when I was in grade 11 after I'd come across the term.”
She is a strong definition of a black trans-women who fought to be where she is, a woman who wants to fight the stigma towards LGBTI folks. She feels that through this opportunity she can educate people and create awareness which will hopefully reduce the number of killings significantly since people will understand her better and since her voice will hold power.
Machaba says that winning the pageant will not only open up doors for her, but will also encourage people like her to be themselves and to go after their wildest dreams. She strives to fight for the respect that trans-women deserve. Speaking of her vision for future she says, “In the future I want to be a well-established fashion designer and have my own clothing line. I’d like to empower young women, as well people in the LGBTIQ+ community. I want to become a philanthropist and inspire people to dream big."
If Nolo wins and is sent to Miss Universe, she will become the second Transgender after Angela Ponce, Miss Universe Spain 2018. She has potential to be a strong contender and representative for the country at international platforms.