NONCEDO Mamba was on Saturday crowned second runner-up and bagged E10 000 for Best National Costume at the Miss Born A Star Africa 2025 pageant.
The continental beauty and culture showcase was hosted at Palm Tree Guest House in Manzini, featuring 30 contestants from four countries.
Mamba described her victory as “absolutely ecstatic” and admitted that the experience still felt surreal.
“I put a lot of hard work and dedication into this, and I’m incredibly grateful that it paid off,” Mamba said.
She explained that the Miss Born A Star Africa pageant was more than a beauty competition.
“It celebrated resilience, talent, and culture. For me, it meant a significant step in my personal journey and a powerful platform to inspire others. The Best National Costume title allowed me to celebrate and represent my culture on an international stage, which is something I take immense pride in,” she added.
Mamba revealed that her decision to participate came unexpectedly after a call from Mr KO, who shared the pageant’s vision with her.
“It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she said, reflecting on her first experience entering the competition.
Looking ahead, Mamba said she planned to use her titles to champion causes close to her heart, particularly youth empowerment and cultural preservation through creative arts.
“You can expect me to continue working hard and making the most of this platform as this is just the beginning. I am dedicated to growing, inspiring others, and being a true example of what it means to be a Born A Star,” she added.
Eswatini Makes Debut at Miss Born A Star
Eswatini made its debut at the Miss Born A Star Africa 2025 pageant — a continental platform celebrating and empowering young girls through culture, beauty, and advocacy.
The event was hosted by the Eswatini Arts and Culture Pageant Association in collaboration with South Africa’s Vathym Pageants Academy, and drew a large crowd.
The pageant provided participants with a platform to voice opinions on critical continental issues, including education, culture, mental health awareness, leadership, environmental conservation, and substance abuse prevention.
Representing Eswatini were four models from the Eswatini Creativity Platform — Noncedo Mamba, Lindokuhle Simelane, Sinokuhle Dlamini and Sinokwenama Dlamini — alongside one independent entrant, Lethukuthula Matsebula.
Their participation marked the first time Emaswati joined the pageant, offering local talent exposure on a continental stage.
The competition, spanning various rounds, combined traditional performances with advocacy presentations, enabling contestants to demonstrate their creativity, intelligence, and leadership skills.
Palm Tree Guest House provided the venue, ensuring a professional and vibrant setting for both live and online audiences.
Founder Vathiswa Mpoqana revealed that 30 candidates competed, representing South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, and Kenya.
“The event went well, and people came in numbers. It was wonderful to see the support for our young girls,” Mpoqana said.
She emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating:
“We aim to empower young girls to embrace their culture while addressing real-life challenges and influencing positive change across Africa.”
Mpoqana also highlighted that participants not only compete on stage but also engage online, allowing the public to vote and support their favourites.
As the country celebrates its inaugural participation, Emaswati entrants have set a precedent for future involvement, signalling a growing presence in continental youth-focused cultural events.
