For 14-year-old Lethabo Sekgobela, the dream of shining on a national stage is finally becoming a reality. The Oudtshoorn High School learner has been chosen as a finalist in the pre-teen category of Miss Teen Universe South Africa 2026, representing both her hometown and the Western Cape.
Lethabo has always wanted to be a model, but it was the 2024 Miss Teen Universe South Africa pageant that inspired her to pursue pageantry seriously. “I was inspired by how they advocated for girl empowerment,” she says.
“They gave young girls an opportunity to shine and show off their personalities.”
Being selected as a finalist was “a dream come true” for Lethabo, who describes the preparation as both challenging and rewarding.
“There is a lot that goes into competing at this level, like confidence building, stage walk, and interview preparation,” she explains.
One of her biggest hurdles, she admits, was finding a dress designer. She is grateful to Felicity Fashions, situated in Church Street, who sponsored and designed her dress and to Ever Wow Ring Design, who supplied her jewellery.
This year’s Miss Teen Universe South Africa pageant takes place this weekend, from Friday 20 March to Sunday 22 March in Polokwane, where finalists from across the country will compete and be crowned at the grand finale on Sunday evening.
When asked what she is most excited about, Lethabo’s eyes light up. “I am most excited for the national costume because I want to show them the beauty that lies in the Klein Karoo,” she says proudly.
Despite the nerves that come with such a big stage, Lethabo has a simple strategy to stay calm: “I take deep breaths and tell myself that I can do this.” Her biggest supporters, she says, are her mother and Desiree Mawela from the Alpha FC Infantry School soccer club, though everyone around her has been encouraging.
Her mother, Tiisetso Sekgobela, added: “I am proud of her as a mother. I admire her resilience in balancing school, sport, and pageant work. She embodies the values and character of a child who knows how to dream without limit. I love her and wish her all the best.”
Lethabo also looks up to Zozibini Tunzi, Miss South Africa and Miss Universe 2019, as a role model for confidence, grace, and using her platform to inspire others.
Apart from pageants, Lethabo keeps busy with school and sports. She currently attends Oudts-hoorn High School, where her favourite subject is mathematics. She also enjoys netball, cheerleading, swimming, and soccer. “It all comes down to time management,” she explains. “I do my schoolwork before my pageant commitments.”
Looking ahead, Lethabo dreams of becoming a paediatrician. But even while pursuing her own ambitions, she wants to use her platform to inspire other young girls. “I would encourage girls my age and tell them that anything is possible if you work hard for it,” she says. “Self-belief encourages them to speak up for themselves and pursue opportunities without fearing failure.”
For Lethabo, representing Oudtshoorn on a national stage is a source of pride. “It means a lot to me that I will be representing my hometown and the Western Cape,” she says. “It is an honour to represent my community, and I want them to know how special they are.”
After a busy day of school, sports, or pageant preparation, Lethabo loves spending time with her family. She also emphasises an important message for her peers: “You are important and unique in your own way. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do.”
With her poise, determination, and positive outlook, Lethabo Sekgobela is ready to make her mark at Miss Teen Universe South Africa 2026, and she’s already an inspiration to the young girls of Oudtshoorn. (MALISSA SPIES)