Homba Mazeleni is known for her broad, infectious smile—or as the French would say, her joie de vivre.
This week, the former Miss South Africa finalist had even more reason to smile, as she graduated with an Honours Degree in Biokinetics.
When asked about her choice to study at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Mazeleni said she had loved the university from the start and had always felt at home, beginning with her undergraduate journey.
“I just loved the place. Honestly speaking, you feel at home—especially when it comes to culture. You feel welcomed, included. I must say that it teaches you a sense of independence,” she said.
While juggling her career as a model and social media influencer, Mazeleni admitted that the past year had been “very difficult.”
“But the thing is, if you aren’t faced with challenges, how are you going to move forward? I absolutely welcome challenges, and I really enjoyed this one. Now, I can reap those rewards,” she said.
Looking ahead, Mazeleni hopes to use her qualification to make a difference in underserved communities.
“Hopefully, I can build clinics in rural areas and have a hub here in Cape Town—just travel within South Africa and then branch out to the rest of Africa,” she said.
