The winner of the AFrika Tikkun's pageant—the Queen—Nomthandazo Buthelezi with Lana Roy
Afrika Tikkun Sets New Standard for Disability Inclusion with Inaugural Pageant Event
JOHANNESBURG— Afrika Tikkun successfully hosted its inaugural Disability Day of Celebrating Abilities on Friday, 11 July 2025, at Cirk in Cresta, marking a bold move that redefines traditional beauty standards and champions disability inclusion. The pioneering event showcased the organisation’s commitment to establishing itself as a thought leader in disability inclusion while creating an electric atmosphere of celebration, empowerment, and visible representation.
The groundbreaking pageant, “Beauty in Ability,” transformed the conventional concept of beauty contests by positioning young people with disabilities at the centre of the celebration. Under the guidance of two Masters of Ceremonies, Afrika Tikkun’s Stakeholder Engagement specialist, Masixole Bangani, and Program Coordinator, Thabang Molefe, the event proceedings buzzed with energy as contestants showcased their talents, personal journeys, and inherent abilities in an atmosphere of pure celebration and pomp.
Breaking Barriers Through Visible Representation
“This day was about more than just celebration—it was about recognising the strength, talent, and potential within every young person, regardless of ability,” said Lana Roy, Afrika Tikkun’s Disability Inclusion Head, who spearheaded the initiative alongside the passionate event architect, Project Manager Latchean Mhlanga.
Roy’s words encapsulated the essence of an event that transcended traditional pageantry. The celebration created a powerful platform for young people with disabilities to strengthen their identity, boost confidence, and nurture self-worth through moving stories and dynamic talent showcases that inspired attendees to challenge societal attitudes and misconceptions about disability.
Electric Atmosphere of Empowerment
Event architect Latchean Mhlanga, Afrika Tikkun’s Disability Project Manager, set the tone with a rousing address that electrified the venue: “Today is not an event—it’s a statement. A statement that says ability is different for everyone. Ability looks different to everyone. Today, we are saying that differences need to be celebrated. Differences need to be heard. Differences need to be uplifted.”
Mhlanga’s passionate words resonated throughout the venue as she emphasised the organisation’s philosophy: “There should never be a point where a person that is different feels like they are nothing or they are abnormal. Our logo says, ‘See the person, not the label,’ because we don’t have to define any human being.”
Celebrating Excellence and Achievement
The pageant culminated in the crowning of two remarkable winners who exemplified the event’s core message, alongside equally deserving runners-up who demonstrated exceptional talent and growth throughout the competition.
Miss Disability, Nomthandazo Buthelezi, an IT studies candidate at the Digital Youth ICT (DYICT) program under Afrika Tikkun, expressed her jubilation: “I’m excited about the win—I can’t even explain how I feel! I didn’t realise that I had this talent inside of me. I’m just going to call my parents in Ulundi to share the good news with them.” The Princess (runner-up), Owami Joaquim, stood alongside her, equally radiant in her achievement and representing the high calibre of all contestants.
Buthelezi’s journey reflected the power that transforms the program: “It has been an arduous journey, for I had to practice and prepare every day for this moment, but thanks to our trainers who guided us, they made the journey enjoyable.”
Mr. Disability, Koketso Makakane, a technical support student, embodied the confidence-building impact of the initiative, with runner-up Prince Nazir Jones demonstrating that excellence came in many forms throughout the competition. Initially hesitant about participation, Makakane shared, “I was very not confident at first. There was even a time when I wanted to quit because my walk was awful, and they kept on pushing me to walk correctly. But they kept on pushing me to do it, not to give up, and here I am.”
His transformation was palpable: “The confidence climbed the stairs. The confidence is at the top. You see, now I’m a celebrity, actually.”
Makakane highlighted the event’s broader significance: “This event is very great because it promotes mostly inclusion. It shows that there are no disabled people—that shows that we can do anything. This was to show the people out there who think that disabled people cannot do this, cannot do that. It was to show them that we are the same. We can do it.”
Building Momentum for Corporate Inclusion
The Beauty in Ability pageant serves as a crucial stepping stone for Afrika Tikkun’s upcoming Valuable 500 Africa Summit in September 2025. This landmark summit will bring together South African business leaders, policymakers, and advocates to advance disability inclusion across Africa, further solidifying Afrika Tikkun’s position as a continental thought leader in the disability inclusion space.
The Valuable 500 represents the world’s most significant CEO-led movement focused on embedding disability inclusion into business leadership, uniting over 500 partners from leading corporations with a combined market value of US$8 trillion. Through this partnership, Afrika Tikkun is encouraging other corporations to rally behind meaningful inclusion initiatives that go beyond compliance to create transformative action.
Leadership Vision for Inclusive Excellence
Marc Lubner, Afrika Tikkun Group CEO, whose presence at the event underscored senior leadership commitment to the initiative, reflected on the organisation’s broader mission: “I was busy reading detailed reports about what interventions are taking place and what programs we’re running, and I thought to myself, the only thing I can criticise is we’re not sharing enough with the rest of the world what the opportunity is that exists with us.'”
Lubner’s testament to the power of visibility and confidence-building resonated throughout the event: “What we witnessed today demonstrates the profound impact that visibility and celebration can have on young people’s confidence. When corporates invest in inclusive initiatives like this, they’re not just supporting individuals—they’re transforming entire communities and challenging society to see ability where others see limitation.”
He continued: “This is why corporates must be part of this journey. Inclusion isn’t just about compliance; it’s about recognising untapped potential and creating environments where everyone can thrive. The confidence displayed on that stage today demonstrates the impact of visibility. That’s what investment in inclusion can achieve.”
Event Highlights and Community Impact
The inaugural celebration brought together youth, families, staff, and partners in a vibrant showcase that went far beyond traditional pageantry. Contestants underwent rigorous daily preparation and training, supported by dedicated trainers who guided them through every aspect of their journey, from confidence-building to talent development.
Contestants, dressed in their finest attire, took part in a meticulously planned pageant format, showcasing their personalities and abilities through three distinct segments. The celebration began with an elegant couples walk, where participants demonstrated poise and confidence whilst being introduced to the audience. The competition was followed by the talent showcase, arguably the day’s most electric segment, where young people demonstrated their diverse abilities—from singing and poetry to motivational speaking and artistic expression. The pageant culminated in the final walk for both the Miss Disability and Mr. Disability categories, where contestants embodied the confidence and self-assurance they had developed throughout their journey.
The judging panel comprised distinguished figures from across sectors, each bringing unique perspectives on inclusion and excellence. Lana Roy, Afrika Tikkun’s Disability & Inclusion Head, was joined by Faith Mangope, the renowned media personality, entrepreneur, and founder of the Faith Mangope Technology and Leadership Institute (FMTALI); Lloyd Hloni Babedi, celebrated DJ, motivational speaker, and disability activist; Jonathan Shapiro, CEO of LESCO; Luthando Kekana, communications specialist and Board Chairperson of the Joburg Association of and for Persons with Disabilities (APD); and Sandra Khumalo, former Paralympian whose own journey exemplified the heights of achievement possible for athletes with disabilities.
This expert panel evaluated contestants on their personal growth, talent presentation, and ability to inspire others, ensuring that the competition celebrated authentic expression rather than conforming to conventional beauty standards.
Behind the scenes, the event was made possible with the tireless dedication of an incredible volunteer committee that worked alongside Afrika Tikkun’s core team, demonstrating the power of community collaboration in creating transformative experiences.
Setting New Standards for Inclusive Programming
With over 700 persons with disabilities currently benefiting from Afrika Tikkun’s inclusive initiatives across its cradle-to-career developmental programs, the organisation is uniquely positioned to lead the continental conversation on disability inclusion. The success of Disability Day: Celebrating Abilities establishes a new benchmark for inclusive programming and community engagement, illustrating how organisations can transcend traditional approaches to create transformative experiences.
Afrika Tikkun continues to expand its impact across its five centres of excellence: Alexandra, Braamfontein, Diepsloot, Mfuleni, and Orange Farm. The organisation remains dedicated to empowering young people, fostering hope, and building sustainable futures for everyone, regardless of ability.
