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Combining activism and pageantry in Kayamandi

A Stellenbosch University (SU) student hosted Kayamandi’s first activism-based beauty pageant earlier this month.

Abongile Quthu, also known as drag activist Liyana Arianna Madikizela, started the Annual Kay’ Activists pageant that was held for the first time at Strongyard Hall, in Kayamandi on 12 September. The event featured 19 contestants, according to Quthu. 

“The pageant has a different narrative from existing pageants. It combines activism with pageantry. It’s more than a beauty contest. It’s about finding people who can stand as ambassadors for change in the community,” said Quthu.  

The four big winners of the day were (from left to right): Thami Mangali, who was named Miss Gay Kay’ Activists 2020 , Ahluma Mafuya, who was awarded Miss Teen Kay’ Activists 2020, Huncho Nothoza, who was named Mr Kay’ Activists 2020 and Saratou Mamadu, who was crowned Miss Kay’ Activists 2020. PHOTO: 021 Hustle Photography
The four big winners of the day were (from left to right): Thami Mangali, who was named Miss Gay Kay’ Activists 2020 , Ahluma Mafuya, who was awarded Miss Teen Kay’ Activists 2020, Huncho Nothoza, who was named Mr Kay’ Activists 2020 and Saratou Mamadu, who was crowned Miss Kay’ Activists 2020. PHOTO: 021 Hustle Photography

The pageant was sponsored by the Triangle Project, which is a non-profit human rights organisation which supports the LGBTQI+ community, according to their website.

Surpassing expectations

The live recording of the event was able to reach 417 people on Facebook and a further 180 people on Instagram, according to Quthu. 

“It was a huge success, it surpassed our expectations. Everything was extremely well done, from the venue to the Covid-19 protocols,” said event judge Thapelo Selokoma, a second-year BSc Human Life Sciences student at SU.

The event was judged by (from left to right): Inga Bangiso, Thapelo Selokoma, Basanda Bontshi, Liyana Arianna Madikizela and Simthembile Nkwamza (not pictured here). PHOTO: 021 Hustle Photography
The event was judged by (from left to right): Inga Bangiso, Thapelo Selokoma, Basanda Bontshi, Liyana Arianna Madikizela and Simthembile Nkwamza (not pictured here). 
PHOTO: 021 Hustle Photography

According to Selokoma, Covid-19 protocols meant that it was a no-audience pageant apart from a few relatives of the contestants being in attendance, which amounted to less than 50 people. Additionally, there was social distancing between seats, she said. 

There were four big winners on the day including Huncho Nothoza, a grade 10 student at Makupula High School in Kayamandi. Nothoza was one of the four contestants who won the pageant’s top prizes.

Nothoza, who won the Mr Kay’ Activists 2020 title, was excited to meet an array of different people on the day and feels positive about being a representative of Kayamandi. 

Huncho Nothoza was crowned Mr Annual Kay’ Activists 2020. PHOTO: 021 Hustle Photography
Huncho Nothoza was crowned Mr Annual Kay’ Activists 2020. PHOTO: 021 Hustle Photography

“I feel grateful [for the opportunity]. I encourage people in Kayamandi [to take part],” said Nothoza.