Madiba’s firm and passionate belief in the power of education is one of the driving forces that inspired East London-born Thulisa Keyi to fulfil one of her goals by reaching the final leg of the Miss World 2018 pageant in Sanya, China, on Saturday.
Keyi, 26, was crowned Miss World SA at this year’s Miss South Africa ceremony and says the journey has been nothing short of amazing.
“This is my first time travelling outside the country and it’s been absolutely amazing.
“I’ve grown so much as a person and I’ve learnt so much about myself.
“I’ve always been clear about my career path, but this platform has definitely strengthened my network base.”
Keyi – who is 1.85m in height – is one of 130 Miss World contestants and the unwavering support from her mother, who has accompanied her to Sanya, has given her the much-needed confidence to thrive in all the challenges building up to the final.
Keyi secured her Miss World Top 30 spot after she won the viewers’ hearts during the head-to-head challenge where she faced Venezuela, Sierra Leone, Finland, Wales and Latvia. She spoke about the lessons on the importance of education shared by former president and elder statesman Nelson Mandela.

“It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor or the president of a great nation.
“What Nelson Mandela did for our country made the idea of following one’s dream a reality,” she said.
Talking about what drives her to want to excel in everything she does, Keyi said her parents had taught her to never limit herself because of her circumstances.
Since her father died when she was 17, she has relied on her mother as a pillar of strength.
In the same year she made the decision to overcome her grief , she matriculated with distinctions and was offered numerous scholarships to study Further...