PROFILE - THEMBELIHLE MNGUNI: A leap of faith inspired by dad

Name: Thembelihle Mnguni

Age: 26

Hometown: Boksburg, Gauteng

A father’s influence on their daughter can be one of the most vital things in their life. That is the story of Thembelihle Mnguni and her father.

From a young age her father instilled in her the love of football in her but that didn’t end there.

Thembelihle is also following her father’s professional footsteps as well. She is currently studying for a Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electrical Engineering at the University of Johannesburg, her father is also a qualified electrical engineer.

“My father would make it a habit to take us to the Orlando Stadium and watch Orlando Pirates play. He would take us as a family. He is the biggest Pirates fan that I know. You know when you are so exposed to something that it becomes your daily routine.

DADDY'S GIRL

"Growing up was my father and I watching games together. I am currently studying electrical engineering and I’m in my second year. That is also an influence from my father. He is, without a doubt my biggest role model. I am truly a daddy’s girl,” says Thembelihle.

The 2024 Miss World South Africa finalist felt she should challenge herself on a different platform, entering the SuperSport MVP Talent search competition with the hope that she can do well in.

“I thought to myself ‘I don’t have any experience in broadcasting whatsoever but I am familiar with beauty pageants and modelling.’ But that is a different kind of camera where you just stand and pose whereas in broadcasting it’s live and every word you say matters.

"I thought ‘maybe we should venture into this. Maybe this will be our next challenge.’ The only time I had been a ‘presenter’ was in front of the mirror in my bathroom. I entered on the last day of entries. I have no experience but I took the leap of faith,” she says.