Miss Teen World South Africa 2025, Lesedi Molise, a 15-year-old learner from Evander High School, Mpumalanga, is preparing to step onto the international stage as she represents South Africa at Miss Teen World.
The young beauty queen is set to jet off on November 25 for Lima, Peru, where the Miss Teen World 2025 competition will take place from 27 to 30 November.
She is also a trailblazer in the pageant industry, having secured more than 50 titles.
Speaking to the Saturday Star, Lesedi expressed her determination to pave the way for young women in influential spaces.
“This opportunity feels like a dream that my younger self whispered into existence. It’s more than a crown or a title to me; it’s a moment that symbolises every challenge I overcame, every stage I stood on with no faith, and every time I chose to believe in myself. Miss Teen World is my chance to show the world the girl who kept rising and the young woman she’s becoming. Using this platform to inspire and empower while spreading awareness on mental health.”
Her advocacy extends beyond pageantry, with a strong belief in leadership and purposeful representation for young women. In addition, she reveals that she hosts the empowering Instagram series Voice of Victory, where she engages leaders who share their stories of resilience and triumph.
“Young women today are showing that pageantry isn’t just about beauty; it’s about using our platforms to lead, educate, and serve. We come into these spaces with real stories, real passions, and real purpose. We’re proving that crowns don’t silence us; they amplify our voices. And through projects, advocacy, and community work, we’re turning pageantry into a gateway for meaningful change. I use my platform from pageantry as a way of speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
Lesedi credits her pageant journey with shaping her into a confident, resilient leader.
Asked about her advocacy and why it is important, she explained that mental health is close to her heart and remains central to her mission.
“Mental health is very close to my heart because I’ve experienced mental health challenges myself. I know how it feels to struggle silently and how important it is to have someone understand and listen. That experience drives me to be a voice for teens, showing them they’re not alone and that it’s okay to ask for help. Through my title, I create safe conversations, share resources, and encourage young people to reach out for help without shame. My goal is to normalise healing and remind my peers that strength also looks like vulnerability.”
Looking ahead to the global competition, Lesedi says she is excited to honour South Africa’s identity and history.
“I’m most excited to showcase the spirit of resilience and unity that lives at the heart of South Africa. Our culture is more than music, colour, and rhythm, it’s a story of a people who fought for their freedom, stood for justice, and built a democracy that continues to inspire the world. Even my national costume carries that message. It celebrates the journey of our nation: the struggle, the triumph, and the hope that came with our democracy. Through it, I want the world to see a South Africa that rises, heals, and shines with pride.”
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star