- Gavaza Mongwe visited Lengama High School to encourage and support learners through The Mirror Initiative.
- Former pupil and MM Fleet CEO Nthabiseng Makgoale led the initiative to give back to learners.
- Learners received essentials, including shoes, sanitary towels, and calculators, during the visit.
Mrs South Africa 2026 semi-finalist Gavaza Mongwe visited Lengama High School in Jane Furse, Limpopo, to deliver a deeply personal message to learners, reminding them that success is possible even when life begins with limited resources.
Standing before learners alongside MM Fleet CEO and former Lengama High School pupil Nthabiseng Makgoale, Mongwe encouraged young people to see themselves as the next generation of leaders, professionals and changemakers.
Decades ago, a poet wrote “the beautiful ones are not yet born”, speaking of a generation of selfless leaders still to come. But standing in the hall of Lengama, Mongwe offered a different perspective: “The beautiful ones are here. They are sitting in your chairs.”
The visit marked a powerful homecoming by Makgoale, who returned to her former school with a clear intention to give back in a meaningful way. She was joined by a group of corporate partners, including MH Automotive, Mongwe’s Mrs South Africa silver sponsor, all coming together around a shared purpose of uplifting and investing in young people.
From hesitation to inspiration
Mongwe reflected on the atmosphere when they first arrived at the school, describing how many learners appeared uncertain about why successful professionals had chosen to visit them.
“At first, it felt like they were holding back, not out of disrespect, but curiosity,” she said. “Almost like they were asking, ‘Why would people like these come here? Why would they care about us?”
For many learners, the challenge is not a lack of talent or ambition, but a lack of access to basic resources. In response, the delegation donated items, including shoes, sanitary towels and calculators to assist learners in their daily lives.
During her address, Mongwe shared her own journey from growing up in a village to building a career in mining research and banking. She also spoke about her studies towards a Master’s in Industrial Engineering, specialising in Data Science.
“And if they ever ask me, or Nthabiseng [CEO MM Fleet], or Mpho [CEO MH Automotive] if we truly came from underprivileged communities with limited resources, we can boldly say yes,” Mongwe said. “Not only from the big stages or corporate boardrooms where we sit today, but while standing on the very same ground that once felt like our dreams were being denied. We are the evidence that those dreams can survive.”
A message bigger than one visit
As the programme continued, Mongwe noticed a visible shift in the room. Learners who initially seemed uncertain began engaging with a renewed sense of belief in their own potential. Since the visit, she has received messages from learners who now see themselves becoming geologists, entrepreneurs and technology leaders.
“It was difficult hearing some of their stories,” she said. “But it also reminded me that we have a responsibility to give hope. We are the mirrors. It’s not just about succeeding for ourselves, but showing others that where they start doesn’t define where they can go.”
Reflecting on the day, Mongwe said she may never fully know the impact the visit had on individual learners, but she believes lives were changed through the conversations and encouragement shared at the school.
“I may never know the name of the learner whose heart shifted that day,” Mongwe reflected. “I might even leave this world without ever knowing how far that moment has reached. But I do know that a life was changed in that room.”
She also encouraged others who may feel hesitant about returning to their communities before achieving financial success to reconsider the value of simply showing up and inspiring others.
“To anyone who has been holding back from going home because you feel like you haven’t ‘made it’ yet, I say go. Your responsibility is to go, even if you never get to see the full impact of it. There is a life out there waiting for the hope only you can bring,” Mongwe said.
Her message to the learners remained clear throughout the visit: “Who will you go back for? Because if you don’t go, how will they ever know what’s possible for them?”
As Mongwe continues her Mrs South Africa journey, she remains committed to The Mirror Initiative, proving that the most important thing leaders can do is return to where their journey began.
Mrs South Africa’s top 30 finalists will be announced in July, and the winner will be crowned in November. To vote for her, SMS Gavaza Mongwe to 47587 at R3 per SMS.
Get your news on the go. Click here to follow the Conviction WhatsApp channel.
