Featured: Meet A Mamelodi Star Shining for Change, Lesedi Makgae.

Featured: Meet A Mamelodi Star Shining for Change, Lesedi Makgae.

Mamelodi, September 14, 2025 – Lesedi Makgae, a young woman from Pretoria with a passion for service, is making waves as a finalist in the Miss Teen Gauteng pageant. For Lesedi, this journey is more than a quest for a crown it’s a platform to amplify the voices of young girls in Mamelodi and beyond who often feel unseen. “Beauty is not just how we look,” she says, “but how we uplift, inspire, and serve.”

Becoming a finalist feels “surreal and humbling” for Lesedi. The sash bearing her name symbolizes not just her achievement but the dreams of countless girls who dare to aim high despite challenging circumstances. Her path to this moment has been fueled by hard work, prayer, and an unwavering belief that faith can open doors.

Lesedi’s advocacy focuses on personal hygiene and mental health issues she calls “silent struggles” that profoundly impact daily life. A pivotal moment came during a hygiene drive when a young girl tearfully told her, “Now I won’t have to miss school.” That encounter, Lesedi says, “broke me but also built me,” highlighting how something as simple as a pack of sanitary pads can restore dignity and keep girls in education. “These issues are tied to confidence and self-worth. Caring for yourself inside and out is a right, not a luxury.”

Her mission is to break the stigma around these topics through action and conversation. Beyond social media, Lesedi plans to host workshops, hygiene drives, and safe-space talks in schools and community centers across Mamelodi. “I want young people to feel supported, to share their stories without shame,” she explains.

For Lesedi, the true reward lies in the impact she’s already seeing. “Their smiles feel like my victory,” she says. “True happiness comes from planting a seed of change in someone’s heart.” Her vision of leadership is rooted in service, inspiring future leaders to embrace compassion, integrity, and courage. “It’s not about standing on a stage it’s about standing with your community.”

Doubt has been her biggest challenge, that inner voice whispering, “You’re not enough.” But Lesedi has overcome it through prayer, support from loved ones, and a fierce determination to stay true to her purpose. “Challenges don’t break you; they refine you,” she reflects.

To the youth of Mamelodi, Lesedi’s message is clear: “Your circumstances don’t define your destiny. Believe in your worth, chase education, protect your mental health, and never underestimate small beginnings. Greatness often starts in quiet corners.”

As she prepares to represent Gauteng in the Miss Teen Gauteng pageant, Lesedi aims to shine with grace and strength, showcasing the resilience of Mamelodi’s communities. Her broader goal is to expand hygiene and mental health programs across schools and townships, leaving a legacy of dignity, healing, and hope.

Mamelodi News celebrates Lesedi Makgae a local hero proving that leadership begins with service and that even the smallest acts can spark lasting change. Follow her journey and support her advocacy by engaging with local community initiatives or contacting youth programs in Mamelodi.

For more information on how to support hygiene and mental health initiatives, reach out to local community centers or visit the Gauteng Department of Social Development website.