Liyema Lucando, a B.Com Accounting student (left) in her second year, was crowned Ms UWC Diversity and Esethu Jijana, a second-year Education student, clinched the Mr UWC Diversity title in the recent student-initiated UWC Diversity Pageant. On the right is the SRC’s Lindokuhle Ndlovu, Security Officer for Gender Safety.

The first Mr and Miss UWC Diversity at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) have been crowned at a recent inaugural pageant.

The groundbreaking initiative is designed to celebrate individuality, challenge conventional beauty standards, and promote inclusivity and self-expression on campus. The winners, Liyema Lucando, a B.Com Accounting student in her second year, won Ms UWC Diversity, and Esethu Jijana, a second-year Education student, clinched the Mr UWC Diversity title.

Lucando believes this is just the beginning of a process. "This pageant is a platform on which I aim to inspire and represent every student of the University of the Western Cape by embracing and celebrating individuality, culture and identity. It is a platform to promote diversity, inclusivity and social change, embracing one’s uniqueness and self-expression.

"This is where we build a community by uniting people from different backgrounds and by fostering a sense of belonging."

Jijana commented, “Winning the title is an honour and it represents a platform that will be synonymous with a campus community where everyone is being respected and included. I would encourage everyone to feel confident in what and who they are.”

SRC Security Officer for Gender Safety, Lindokuhle Ndlovu, said the event is a vibrant platform for students of all gender identities, sexual orientations, cultural backgrounds, and personal expressions to showcase their talents, intelligence, and commitment to diversity advocacy.

“Whether cisgender, transgender, queer, straight, non-Pageant, or otherwise, all UWC students are encouraged to participate in this celebration of diversity in its fullest form,” said Ndlovu.

“I am truly honoured to have successfully hosted the event for the very first time, and it was heartening to see the overwhelming positivity and support it received.”