Vuyisile Masangane is Miss Deaf

From: The Swazi Observer - Oct 1, 2012

AFTER a three month grooming process, the curtain fell on Saturday night as Vuyisile Masangane was crowned Miss Deaf 2012.
The glittering event was held at the Royal Swazi Spa Convention Centre.
Masangane had stage presence from the word go and not only did she win the hearts of the judges but also that of the audience.
She took the crown from four other contestants competing for the title.
Her runners-up were Lindokuhle Mamba and Nelsiwe Dlamini respectively.
The event was fairly attended.
Some came through in traditional regalia whereas others opted for formal wear.
Notables spotted included Senator Khephu Cindzi, Lobamba MP Majahodvwa Khumalo, Senator Tom Mndzebele, and DPM Themba Masuku, amongst others.
The event started off with an auction sale of paintings, followed by a performance by local hip-hop artist Diba Diba.
The contest kicked off with the contestants parading in casual wear which was followed by a brief introduction of themselves to the audience. Thereafter, the ladies then showcased their talent as they danced ‘ingadla’.
Soon after that TOTI rendered a performance and the group later made way for the contestants’ last catwalk in formal wear.
Later in the evening, the winners were announced by the programme director Nelsiwe Motsa and the audience didn’t voice their discontentment, therefore, signifying that they agreed with the judges’ choice.

...SD has potential to
host Miss Deaf Africa

Miss Deaf Africa organiser Maria Sivertsen believes the country has the potential to host the Miss Deaf Africa 2014.
Sivertsen said the country was capable of hosting any contest, adding that the country should start preparing to host the event in 2014.
“Next year, the contest will be held in Seychelles and then the following year, it is coming to Swaziland, I hope the country will be ready by then,” she said.
support
She thanked the government for the support it has shown towards the deaf community, further noting that in other countries the disabled community was sidelined. Furthermore, the DPM said the country would host the pageant and also produce a queen for the deaf community in the world.
“We have sent two girls to international contests, one (Simphiwe) was crowned the first princess in the Miss Deaf world while Nosipho Zwane made it to the top 20. Now, we will have a world queen,” he said.

Nosipho Zwane a no show

Former Miss Deaf Nosipho Zwane’s absence was noticed during the Miss Deaf contest.
Zwane, who was reported to have had a tiff with the Pageant Director Nokthula Mbatha, was meant to be present to crown her successor during the event.
The last time Zwane and Mbatha communicated was after the latter returned from her trip to the Czech Republic where she represented the country during the Miss Deaf World contest.
However, no comment could be obtained from Zwane with regard to her absence.
Mbatha, on the other hand, said she sent her an invite to come through for the event.

...Q & A tough
for contestants

The audience expressed their discontentment at the questions posed by the judges to the contestants during the Q & A session.
This concern was first raised by Senator Khephu Cindzi when he was introducing the Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku.
Cindzi told the judges that comprised of Chantelle Anderson, Phinda Jele, Slindile Bhembe and Khula Mkhabela that the questions they were asking the girls were very tough.
“Honourable deputy prime minister, I should state that the questions asked by the judges were tough and some of us here had problems even answering them amongst ourselves,” he said.
The audience concurred with him while others clapped their hands.

Audience pleased
with verdict

The audience was pleased with the panel of judges’ verdict during the Miss Deaf contest.
Those present felt Vuyisile Masangane deserved to be announced as the winner because of her confidence as opposed to the other girls who had stage fright.
When the programme director was about to announce the winner, the audience shouted number two which was Masangane’s contestant number. After Motsa called out her name, they screamed while others clapped their hands.
“She was confident as she modelled or danced. She also smiled throughout which made it seem she was at ease with herself and in what she was doing. For me, she was the queen even before she was crowned,” Mpumi Zwane said. Mpendulo Mamba said he thought Lindokuhle Mamba was going to win because of her height and beauty. However, Masangane was a cut above the rest when it came to confidence. Miss Deaf Africa organiser Maria preferred not to comment.
“I cannot comment on this because I will be biased. But the overall contest was good,” she said. Ncamiso and Lindiwe Cele reiterated Zwane’s statement, adding that Masangane was a queen even before her crowning.
They also agreed that she was a marvel to watch on the stage.

Some of the questions asked

If you were the deputy prime minister of the country, what would you do for the deaf community?
If you were the minister responsible for the youth and culture in the kingdom, what would you to integrate the deaf community?
Suppose you are the Miss Deaf Swaziland director, what changes would you bring about? If you were the queen mother of the country, what three things would you do for the deaf community? Assume you are the headteacher of the deaf school, what would you do to help improve the place?