The North West Department of Education is proud to congratulate one of its own, Unathi Sishawu, on being crowned the winner of the Ms Phenomenal South Africa Beauty Competition.
Sishawu, a 27-year-old Accounting Assistant in the Salary Section of the Bojanala District, was announced as the reigning queen at the competition held on Saturday, 29 March 2025, at the Hatfield Encore Theatre in Pretoria. A true inspiration, Unathi hails from Freedom Park, an informal settlement in Rustenburg, and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Her journey to the crown began in July last year, when she entered the competition and underwent a rigorous interview process, ultimately emerging as the finalist representing the North West province.
According to Unathi Sishawu entered the beauty competition to be a voice of the voiceless children who are the disadvantaged backgrounds like hers.
“Growing up in a disadvantaged community where women’s rights were often overlooked, I’ve always aspired to be a voice for the voiceless. This passion drove me to pursue leadership opportunities like Miss Phenomenal South Africa. My motivation for entering the competition was twofold. Firstly, I wanted to show every child the status of their community is not their identity. Their dreams are not determined by their background.
“I reside in a community plagued by high crime rates, teenage pregnancy, and substance abuse. And I want to be a beacon of hope, and inspire others to believe that if I can do it , they can surely do it too. This achievement is a surreal moment for me, and I’m humbled by the opportunity to make a difference. As a passionate advocate for educational empowerment, women’s and children’s rights, and mental health awareness, I’m eager to educate and raise awareness. I believe that an informed society is key to creating positive change”, expressed Sishawu the reigning beauty queen.
The MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, congratulated Sishawu on winning the national beauty competition.
“On behalf of the North West Department of Education, I would like to congratulate Unathi Sishawu on winning the national beauty competition. This victory clearly shows that the sky is not the limit, and everyone can achieve their dreams.
“Sishawu is a positive role model for learners in our province, as her background did not deter her from competing on a national stage with other ladies. I believe that she will be able to play an important role in the department by encouraging other officials to reach for their goals,” said MEC Motsumi.
Sishawu’s dream is to one day enter the Miss South Africa pageant.
