Written by: Mfundo Knowledge Mthembu

Audrey Kozwana Skhosana took the Indoni Miss Cultural title to Ndebele on Saturday night at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC).

Twelve Nguni tribes represented by young girls and accompanied by their chaperons, went head-to-head at this year’s Indoni competition. Through rigorous different showcases from traditional attire, poetry and judges’ questions, Skhosana seemed to impressed many as she was crowned Miss Indoni 2017/18.

“Somebody thought about this thing, an individual Dr Mthembu. We are all here today because of somebody who dreamt. We are challenging South African to dream and dream big,” said Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa.

Skhosana said she felt honoured that she won and was too happy for words. She added that she desperately wanted the crown to go to Ndebele and she also advised young girls to wake up and smell the coffee, and take part in the Indoni festival.

Whoever said tradition and culture were “not glamorous” must have not seen when all different South African Nguni tribes meet to showcase at a cultural extravaganza like Indoni Miss Cultural.

“There is no reason whatsoever for Africans to hate each other, we’ve got to love each other. South African wealth and the whole of the continent is not what you see as the mineral wealth. There is only one wealth on this continent, in fact for the entire globe and that wealth is heritage, added Mthethwa.

Mthethwa said that Indoni Miss Cultural is very much inline with the South African Constitution and it must be protected at all costs for it to continue with the grooming of young women in this country.

Skhosana walked away with R100 000 cash which will go towards her education.

Caption: Audrey Kozwana Skhosana after being crowned Miss Indoni 2017/18 with Dr Nomcebo Mthembu and Ndebele people.