Cape Town - Lusanda Ntintili, 23, was crowned Spring Queen 2017 at a lively event attended by thousands at the Athlone Stadium.
Ntintili, a trainee fashion co-ordinator at Trade Call Investments Apparel in Eppindust, was chosen among 47 finalists.
The Spring Queen competition is a yearly event organised by the SA Clothing and Textile Workers Union (Sactwu).
Originally from Johannesburg, Ntintili said she entered the competition after a dare from friends.
“I had no idea that I would make it this far, let alone win, but being in this competition has taught me a lot,” she said.
Lusanda Ntintili was crowned Miss Spring Queen 2017 held at Athlone Stadium. She is passionate about local workers' plight. Picture: Jack Lestrade/ANA Picture
She has an honours degree in fashion design and said she had two jobs while she was studying.
“If you want to enter this competition you must not be a stranger to hard work,” she added. Ntintili also stressed that the local fashion trade needs to be recognised, secured and honoured.
“The fact that the industry is shrinking and losing its standing is what made me become more passionate about this pageant. A discussion needs to be held about what can be done for the industry and factory workers.”
This year’s event was hosted by the Heart 104.9 FM breakfast trio Aden Thomas, Julian Naidoo and Tapfuma Makina. They kicked things off by introducing opening acts from Sactwu’s own talent winners between 2014 and 2016.
Before the main event, Sactwu’s Got Talent saw six contestants battle it out in song and dance.