Indoni Miss Thembu needs your help

Andisiwe Vinqi (21) from Mkhonjana village in Lady Frere, is seeking votes as she competes for the title of Miss Indoni Cultural SA, representing the Thembu tribe.

Vinqi, a student at the University of Cape Town in the Western Cape, said she has long wanted to be a part of this competition in order to achieve her dreams.

She described herself as a different child growing up who loved culture and isiXhosa.

“I love the culture; it is a source of pride for me. Another thing is that at Indoni, girls are taught proper behaviour as well as customs and traditions.

“You also get to experience other cultures. I believe that black people’s tribes are becoming more united,” said Vinqi.

This poet has a twin, Linathi Vinqi who is also a writer; Andisiwe has won several poetry competitions, including Mqhayi Day, which was held in the province in 2019. She said it was a competition for aspiring writers, and she came up tops.

“When I was in high school at Luvuyo Lerumo High School in Queenstown, I was known for being very good in isiXhosa. I won R4000 in a competition at Mhlobo Wenene FM in 2020 for my poem, Umhlobo Wenene isikhululo esingungqa phambili.”

She said that in 2018, she was invited to write a poem about Mqhayi at Rhodes University by prolific isiXhosa writer and academic Ncedile Saule.

This poet was inspired by Noxolo Grootboom, who was famous for reading the isiXhosa news on television in a beautiful and clear manner.

SMS “Indoni Miss Thembu” to 33616 to vote for Vinqi. The SMS will only cost R1.50.

The competition kicks off on December 16 at the ICC in Durban, KwaZulu Natal.