Church girl, fitness enthusiast and current Miss DUT, Zabelo Hlabisa recently had a life-changing experience after being crowned the second princess of the prestigious Miss Tourism Worldwide 2018 pageant in Indonesia. Zabelo Hlabisa took time off and shared with Tabloid Newspapers on her journey as a young pageant queen who proudly represented South Africa overseas.
Tabloid Newspapers (TN): You competed on a world stage at the Miss Tourism World Wide pageant in Indonesia last month, what titles did you come back home with? Zabelo Hlabiso (ZH): I was awarded the second runner-up of the Miss Tourism Worldwide Indonesia. I also won Best Talent and Queen of Peoples Choice.
TN: What was this competition about? Tell us about the journey leading to this win, and what having this title means to you
ZH: This was a competition that teaches girls to be a better version of themselves, while learning vital life lessons and competing on an international platform. It was my first time being in an international pageant. There was a lot of pressure, I didn’t have sponsors at first and I tried my level best to get one but it was really hard for me since I had school at the same time. I cried so many times because I was so hungry to win and was faced with several obstacles. I only managed to get sponsors within the last three days before the competition. God made a plan for me, and it involved going through some hardships, but it was all worth it, words fail to describe just how much this opportunity means to me.
TN: This opportunity has allowed you to travel overseas. How was the different cultural experience and how has that compared to your own culture as an African?
ZH: What I saw in Indonesia is that they respect and welcome any kind of a person, and love visitors. Being a person of colour, I found that the people there were so amazed to see me. Everyone wanted to take a picture with me and were fascinated with my African attire, which is something I am very proud of. They kept on saying that my skin is beautiful and how much they love it. the experience was so heartwarming.
TN: What has been your favourite pageant experience so far?
ZH: Being crowned second princess of Miss Tourism Worldwide 2018 South Africa has been the greatest experience for me. I have never been outside the country and I have never competed at an international level. This chapter of my life has opened my eyes to so much and gives me hope that anything is possible.
TN: Many young girls often fantasise about modelling and looking pretty on the catwalk or in front of the camera. How were you introduced into the world of beauty pageants, and when did you get your big break?
ZH: My first photo-shoot was in July 2015. That’s where I fell in love with modelling. Seeing professional pictures of myself made me want to do more photo-shoots. People started seeing my pictures and they told me I could make a great model, and I said let me try it out.
I entered my first pageant and I won. It felt so great so I went on and on, I’ve won almost all of the pageants I’ve entered in my life. I believe that was my big break.
TN: What challenges have you faced along your journey?
ZH: I didn t have sponsors at first and I tried my level best to get one but it was really hard for me since I had to focus on school at the same time. I don t have a manager or PR team, so I do things on my own. However, I have been so lucky to have people who always want to help me out.
TN: Who is Zabelo Hlabisa, when she is not walking on the ramp?
ZH: Zabelo Hlabisa is a girl from Newcastle. She is 24-years-old and she is based in Durban doing her final year at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). She spends her pass time by going to church, going to gym but most of the time she is always indoors.
TN: What are you currently studying at DUT?
ZH: I m doing my final year in Office Management and Technology
TN: Apart from being the model that many know, what else are you really passionate about?
ZB: I m passionate about business, music and acting.
TN: Who is your mentor?
ZH: I wouldn’t say I have a specific person that I look up to. I have a lot of people that I look up to, from whom I learn good qualities that will help shape me into a better person.
TN: What has been your biggest achievement so far?
ZH: Definitely being the second princess of Miss Tourism Worldwide Indonesia 2018
TN: What are your future plans?
ZH: To finish studying and to graduate. After that I am planning to have a campaign where I will train boys and girls in modelling. Around the country I have been getting a lot of people asking me to help them and I want to reach the stage where I am able to help others reach their highest potential in this industry.
TN: Your advice for young girls or boys who would like to get into the world of pageant modelling but may be scared to?
ZH: It’s important to secure
your future with a good education, so I advise everyone to make sure they are qualified in something else that they love, as a back up plan.
Make sure you are informed about the pros and the cons when you enter the pageant scene, stay true to yourself and don t allow people to mistreat you or abuse you.
