Bower Magazine Issue 1

Features| Bower Magazine issue 1
I’m Nandipha Mbalo born and
bred in Mount Ayliff, I'm a third
born in a family of 4. I was
raised by a single mother. I am
a student at the university of
Fort hare, doing bachelor of
commerce in industrial
psychology. I started modeling
back in 2021 when I entered for
Miss Empower Eastern Cape
but unfortunately I did not
make it to top 3.
My biggest achievement so far
is winning 2 titles on a national
pageant (second runner up and
ambassador for Miss Royal
Empire SA)
The vision of Miss royal empire
SA is giving back to the
community, as a way of giving
back to my community, every
month I take kids from
disadvantaged backgrounds
and fix their hair for free as I'm
also a hairstylist because I
believe that giving back does
not only have to require
monetary items , I'm using my
talent to give back. I also
entered for Miss empower EC
2024
As I'm advocating against body
shaming, I want people to learn
to love and accept themselves
the way they are, I grew up
being mocked for my body and
height and as I grew I had the
courage to do something that
will put me in the spotlight and
force me to love and embrace
my body. I want people to learn
that from me
The most memorable difficult
time I have faced is when
someone posted about me on
Facebook saying all sorts of
horrible things about me but I
had to keep my cool and not
respond even though it was
hurting. What kept me going was
knowing that I have worked so
hard to be where I am and have
the confidence I have so I cannot
be shaken by what is being said
about me about things I cannot
change.
"Courage is being yourself
everyday in a world that tells
you to be someone else" My
advice to young stars is that
they must have the courage to
start now and not wait for "the
right time" because it will never
come. Get out of your comfort
zone.
The message I want to give to my
younger self is that "thank you
for not letting what people say
about you break you instead
motivate you to be strong at a
very young age"
My aspirations are to be a
business woman who owns her
salon, hire people and create job
opportunities. To be a modeling
director and have my own
modeling school where I focus
mainly on young kids.
People can get hold of me on
Facebook at :Ipha Mbalo II
Instagram: @iphambalo
Tiktok:@Iphambalo
Whatsapp: 0793406108