19 August 2026
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Story Lunga Luthuli
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Photo Born2Shoot
Taking the top honours at the University of the Free State’s 2026 Mx and Mxss Pageant, from left: Prince Molatji, Mx second runner-up; Shelton Thabiso Ndlovu, Mx winner; Katleho Mokgonyana, Mx first runner-up; Naledi Mbali Sebokolodi, Mxss second runner-up; Bibi-Aishah Essop, 2026 Mxss winner; and Boitumelo Precious Ralejoane, Mxss first runner-up.
The University of the Free State (UFS)
Qwaqwa Campus’ Mandela Hall came alive on Saturday, 15 August 2026, as 18 Mx and Mxss Pageant finalists took to the catwalk in a vibrant celebration of confidence, talent, diversity and student spirit.
With all three UFS campuses represented, the grand finale brought students together in a powerful display of unity as the 2026 Mx and Mxss winners were crowned.
Themed “Growing a responsible future”, this year’s pageant placed the spotlight not only on on-stage presence and personal expression, but also on cultural diversity, environmental sustainability, self-awareness and responsible citizenship.
“Participating in this pageant is not only about winning, but also about showing that the University has talented students. It is a platform to showcase innovation.”
A platform for growth and self-expression
Dr Hlasho said the pageant provides students with an opportunity to develop their confidence, express their views, and celebrate their diverse identities.
“The pageant empowers students as they can speak publicly, talk about themselves, share different views, showcase different cultures, and express diverse beliefs. Winning is just an added benefit. Once students participate, they come out as better people and recalibrated.”
This year’s event was particularly significant as it was the first in the three-year history of the pageant that the finale was hosted at the Qwaqwa Campus. The move reinforced the University’s commitment to fostering a sense of belonging across its three campuses and strengthening the ethos of “one institution with three campuses”.
Dr Hlasho confirmed that the Division of Student Affairs, Sports, Arts and Culture events would continue to rotate its events among the three campuses.
“All the Division of Student Affairs, Sports, Arts and Culture events will be hosted across three campuses, rotationally.”
Celebrating diversity and sustainability
The annual pageant consists of four themed segments, each designed to highlight a different aspect of student development and responsible citizenship.
The cultural diversity segment celebrates contestants’ cultural heritage and diverse backgrounds, while the environmental sustainability segment challenges contestants to use recyclable materials to create garments that promote environmental awareness.
The formal elegance segment showcases stage presence, confidence and personal presentation. In the public-speaking segment, contestants are evaluated on their communication skills, leadership potential and ability to embody institutional values.
The judging panel faced the difficult task of narrowing the field of 18 finalists to the top 10 before selecting the eventual top three in each category.
Sinethemba Ntombela from the Qwaqwa Campus, representing Chris Hani Residence, was named Miss Congeniality.
In the Mx category, Thabiso Ndlovu, a third-year student in the Faculty of Law, was crowned the 2026 Mx winner. Katleho Mokgonyana was named first runner-up, while Prince Molatji took second runner-up.
In the Mxss category, Bibi-Aishah Essop, a final-year Bachelor of Education (Senior and FET Phase) student majoring in Mathematics and Life Science at the Bloemfontein Campus, took the top honour. Boitumelo Precious Ralejoane was named first runner-up, while Naledi Mbali Sebokolodi was second runner-up.
Essop also served as the Universal Access Officer on the 2025/2026 Campus Representative Council.
‘The winner should be someone who deserved it’
For Essop, reaching the institutional top 18 was already an unexpected achievement.
“I was astonished when I learned that I made it to the top 18. I did not expect to get this far. Going into the competition, I was just going to have fun and be kind and real. I always told myself that the winner, may it be someone who deserved it.”
She said her participation was also about representing the people who had supported and believed in her.
“For me, I was not doing it for myself only but also for those who believed in me. Competing at an institutional level and representing everybody, including other students in the
Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support, my friends, family, even strangers and assistants, they had their faith in me. When on stage, I felt their love and their emotions.”
During her tenure as Mxss, Essop plans to promote diversity, inclusivity and excellence across the University.
“There is so much beauty in our diversity. It is not just the different races and cultures. I aim to push the idea and how the University pushes that for excellence.”
‘Every decision we make today is making the future’
For Ndlovu, the competition was equally challenging, with each finalist bringing their best to the stage.
“It was difficult competition with everyone bringing their A game.”
Reflecting on the pageant’s theme,” Growing a responsible future”, he said: “Every decision we make today is making the future that we are looking forward to.”
Although he had considered entering the pageant since 2024, Ndlovu said he felt that he was not ready. His decision to participate this year ultimately paid off.
“This year, I guess it was God saying it’s your time.”
Reflecting on his experience, Ndolu encouraged other students to embrace opportunities and recognise that there is space for everyone to contribute and succeed.
“The Mx and Mxss Pageant is a beautiful experience, and when it is your time, you will just know. All stars will just align. My message to students: there is ‘room’ for everyone at the table.”
Building a stronger and more inclusive pageant
As the Mx and Mxss Pageant continues to grow, Dr Hlasho hopes that the initiative will attract greater support from external sponsors.
He noted that the Division initially provided full seed funding for the initiative, but believes that its continued growth will depend on developing sustainable partnerships.
“I have to highlight the gap. When the pageant was started, there was seed funding, with the division sponsoring 100 percent of the initiative. Once an event takes shape, it must be able to attract sponsorship. Going forward, I hope the colleagues organising it must be able to attract sponsors so that we can take it to the next level.”
The 2026 Mx and Mxss Pageant demonstrated how student-centred initiatives can create opportunities for personal growth while celebrating the diversity, creativity and potential that exist across the University’s three campuses.