Lehlogonolo Machaba Is The first transgender Woman To Become A Finalist in Miss South Africa!


Miss South Africa Organisation announced Lehlogonolo Machabaas the first transgender woman to place as a finalist.


  • The 24-year old from Letlhabile in the North West says: “I never thought I’d see anyone like myself on such a platform. I believe that being chosen would raise hope in a lot of little girls like myself.”
  • Through the Miss South Africa platform, Lehlogonolo will advocate for the LGBTQIA community and, more specifically, queer-identifying women.

She proudly wrote on her social media bios that she is the ‘First ever trans woman to be on Miss SA Top30.’ However, the queen of the North West province is arguably much more than that description.


At 24-years old, hailing from Letlhabile town, Machaba stands as a symbol of hope for many. A symbol that extends gracefully and far beyond our country. Her position allows anyone who has previously felt as though they didn’t quite fit the mould under society’s conservative proclamations, believe that they didn’t need to fit it at all. They could do far more, and break it beautifully.

In light of her current standing in the top 30, Machaba wrote:

“I am proud to announce that I have OFFICIALLY made it to the #Top30 of #MissSA2021 thanks to all of you. This journey has been nothing but a great one and all of you have made this worthwhile. I will continue to push for change and acceptance of everyone in the LGBTQI+ community and being the first EVER TransWoman in the competition.”


SHE SAID:

“Transgender women are almost always ostracised from such opportunities, which is why I never thought I’d see anyone like myself on such a platform. I believe that being chosen would raise hope in a lot of little girls like myself,” she expressed as per Channel24.

She also expressed that her “representation counts,” especially now and that she is “just grateful” that we have a representation of a trans woman “who happens to be black,” as SABC mentions.

She goes on to say: “It has always been a dream of mine to represent my community at such a high level. The daily murder of queer and trans-identifying people in our country is devastating. Through the Miss South Africa platform, I’d be able to advocate for the LGBTQIA community and, more specifically, queer-identifying women. I would use this opportunity to empower every marginalised person and become a beacon of hope for young girls out there regardless of whatever they think hinders them from attaining whatever goal they have. With patience, perseverance and hard work, they can attain anything they put their minds to.”


Lehlogonolo believes beauty pageants are more relevant today than ever before, because of titleholders like Zozibini Tunzi, who have inspired change around the world.

“Young girls like myself are being inspired to dream big and chase their dreams. Beauty pageants are more relevant than ever and are highly inclusive and updated. We’ve seen them transition over the years from including women with different body shapes, skin tones, different backgrounds to now allowing transgender women like myself to enter.”
In her spare time, Lehlogonolo volunteers at a local LGBTQIA centre, Access Chapter Two, to help young people with university applications and job applications.

Lehlogonolo says her gender marker has posed obstacles in the past, but she has bounced back from life’s challenges stronger and happier.

“I lost an opportunity to travel to Milan for the Gucci fashion show because of my gender marker and not having the necessary documents to change it,” she explains.


“Through that, I’ve learned that failure is just a redirection of something bigger and better and used it as an opportunity to speak out about my identity on social media, which has inspired a lot of people and has educated them on the necessary steps one should take when transitioning,” she says.


Lehlogonolo, who lives with her mother, and brother in Letlhabile in the North West, says her mother is her role model and “the true definition of a strong woman,” having survived GBV and long years of being unemployed. “Yet through all those challenges, she came out strong and graceful,” she says.

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