Tragic Truck Collision Claims One Life Near Bushbuckridge
April 7, 2025
Minister Pushes for Universal ECD Access
April 7, 2025
The much-anticipated Miss Bushbuckridge 2025 pageant was held on April 5 at Meropa Lodge in Acornhoek, and it was a resounding success. The evening began with a heartfelt prayer and worship, setting a reflective and celebratory tone for the event. Guests were warmly welcomed by the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, and the atmosphere was filled with excitement as the top 10 finalists took to the stage.
As with every pageant, only one queen could be crowned, but all the contestants showed immense talent, poise, and determination. The event was further graced by a performance from local artist Clive S Mr Bomberstick, who had the crowd buzzing with energy.
A Night of Gratitude and Reflection
Executive Mayor ML Moroane expressed gratitude towards the event’s sponsors, acknowledging the critical role they played in making the event a reality. The sponsors, including Sunbake, Pick n Pay, KingMikaInc, Sabali Enterprise, and Woodpeckers Guest House, were commended for their unwavering support, which made the event possible.
The Mayor also took a moment to honor Mamello Malele, who has been instrumental in working with the youth, saying, “Mamello Malele has done an incredible job, and we are here tonight to celebrate beauty—not just the beauty that is seen but the beauty in character, actions, and the impact we make on others. Our beauty is defined by how we uplift others.”
A Call to Action for the Youth
The Mayor emphasized the importance of the event in fostering youth development and urged the contestants to continue working towards positive change in the community. “The queen, and all contestants, must go beyond this pageant. They must impact lives. We need to see Bushbuckridge grow, and we expect you to represent the youth of Bushbuckridge with pride and dignity,” said Mayor Moroane.
Prizes and Recognition
The pageant offered an array of exciting prizes for the winners:
Public Choice: Nothando Mokoena walked away with R2,000, thanks to a contribution from the Executive Mayor.
Second Runner-Up: Fortunate Mogane earned a laptop, R5,000, a voucher from Pick ‘n Pay, and a game drive experience.
Queen: Mikhenso Lubisi was crowned Miss Bushbuckridge 2025 and received an incredible prize package, including a laptop, R6,000 in cash, a R2,000 voucher from Pick ‘n Pay, a R1,200 game drive, and a Code 10 driver’s license, with an additional R1,500 from the Executive Mayor.
The pressure was undeniably high for the contestants, but they all rose to the challenge, showing resilience and grace throughout the competition.
The New Queen’s Message
In her victory speech, Mikhenso Lubisi expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to represent her community. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” she said. “I took a leap of faith last year and gave myself the chance to enter the Miss Bushbuckridge pageant. It was about reviving myself as a model and building sisterhood. Along the way, I lost my biggest supporter, my grandfather, but that fueled me to work harder and honor his memory by becoming the queen.”
Lubisi, who is passionate about women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, also shared her vision for the future: “As a young woman, I believe this is the beginning of my dream. I’m eager to use the connections I’ll make to give back to my community, especially in the lives of the youth in Bushbuckridge.”
Looking Ahead
The Miss Bushbuckridge Beauty Pageant not only crowned a queen but also inspired the youth of Bushbuckridge to pursue their dreams, impact their communities, and embrace their true beauty—inside and out. The journey continues as we look forward to the future contributions of the new queen and her fellow contestants in making Bushbuckridge a better place for all.
