MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Yamkela Gora (21) participated in the Miss SA Heritage 2025 competition in Soweto on Saturday 27 September.
Out of 25 finalists, she was crowned the first runner-up, a moment she will treasure forever.
She describes the pageant experience as unforgettable despite feeling nervous at first, and managed to proudly walk across the stage, representing her culture and the Western Cape province.
"I also had the incredible opportunity to meet contestants from various backgrounds and cultures, and I learnt so much about their traditions and perspectives, which made the experience even more enriching," she says.
The Miss SA Heritage competition is an annual beauty pageant focusing on South Africa's various cultures and heritages.
The pageant shared the winners on its social media platforms, writing that Gora's grace, hard work and dedication shone brightly throughout the journey, making her a true inspiration to young women across South Africa.
Each of the finalists had to engage in charity work and were tasked with truly getting involved with their respective communities.
However, Gora, who grew up in Mossel Bay, has been involved in charity work since before competing in Miss SA Heritage.
"Helping others has always been something I care about. The competition has helped me reach more people and do even more for my community," she says.
The lead-up to the final round saw Gora visiting schools in Mossel Bay, making donations of sanitary pads, food, clothing and toiletries, and organising a soup kitchen for Mandela Day.
Miss SA Heritage was not the first time Gora had entered the world of beauty pageants.
She had competed in local competitions before, which helped to build her self-confidence and prepare her for a competition such as this one.
"If I had the chance to do it again, I would, because it's not just about the title, but about using the opportunity to inspire others and continue advocating for cultural pride and community upliftment," she says.
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