Reigning Miss South Africa Shudufhadzo Musida, a University of Pretoria (UP) alumna, recently visited UP’s Future Africa institute and campus at the invitation of Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe, who hosted a luncheon and discussion in honour of her crowning achievement.

“Your win is historic and symbolic,” Prof Kupe said to Musida. “We are proud of you – UP will always remain your home.”

“This is a very special day for me,” she said. “I will cherish this day for the rest of my life. There are no limits to what I can achieve – UP gave me a solid foundation.”

Musida, who hails from Ha-Masia in Limpopo, was crowned during the 62^nd Miss South Africa pageant on 24 October this year at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town. The 24-year-old, who triumphed over 2 500 other entrants, graduated from UP in 2019 with a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

Musida advocates mental health awareness and the economic empowerment of women and children. She won the hearts and minds of the pageant judges, as well as South Africans, when she shared her thoughts about mental health and education.

“My goal is to destigmatise mental health and how we as a society view mental health, because it’s important in solving the societal ills we face,” she told Prof Kupe during their discussion.

Watch Prof Kupe in conversation with Musida.