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Nhlalwenhle Ngwenya
MR and Miss Culture Hillside Teachers’ College were crowned on Friday after a cultural modelling contest, which saw 15 models donning different cultural attires representing different ethnic groups battling for the top spot. Michael Tshuma and Ntombizodwa Moyo were respectively crowned Mr and Miss Hillside Culture while Lorraine Sithole clinched thefirst princess title and Sandiso Moyo second princess.

On the male category Mhlomuli Sibanda became the first prince with Nkululeko Sibanda coming second. “I’m very excited to be crowned queen. I didn’t see it coming. I thank my mother Monica Lubimbi for being my inspiration,” said Ntombizodwa. Tshuma, who was still tongue tied, said the king title came as a shocker.

“I only imagined myself being a prince after being announced as the king. I couldn’t believe it,” he said. The cultural modelling contest was organised by the National Languages Department at the college and saw 15 models comprising 10 females and five males going through three phases that included the introduction, modern wear and traditional wear.

During the event models recited their totems and demonstrated how different ethnic groups could co-exist harmoniously. Show organiser Nobuhle Gundu, the lecturer in charge of the department said the modelling concept was inspired by upholding cultural values.

“The modelling contest was a success due to collective work from lecturers and Sarah Mpofu. The modelling initiative is aimed at celebrating cultural diversity. It’s our wish as a department to teach all the languages that are part of our society,” said Gundu. Patron Nicholas Siziba affectionately known as Mandela at the college said language and culture were inseparable.

“The African languages department and culture are inseparable. We should thank the people from the African languages department for the different cultures they’ve displayed here as part of oneness. These models weren’t showcasing cultural difference but were showing us our cultural oneness and also highlighting changes that we’ve gone through over a long period of time,” said Siziba.

Poet Sithandazile Dube, Qeqeshiwe and Imbube group from Hillside Teachers’ College kept the audience entertained with their energetic performances.