Fashioning Modern Africanism

Miss South Africa 2020, Shudufhadzo Musida, unfortunately did not make it to the Top 12 at the 70th Miss World pageant, which was held at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan, Puerto Rico this morning.  Representing South Africa, twenty-six-year-old Musida – who comes from Ha-Masia in Venda in Limpopo – was one of the front runners throughout the competition. Her win in the prestigious Beauty With a Purpose (BWAP) segment of the pageant fast tracked her into the top 40 Miss World semi-finalists. Musida’s BWAP win was based on her advocacy campaign that focused on removing the stigma associated with mental illness. Miss World judges were impressed with the weekly IGTV Live sessions – Mindful Mondays – that she hosted with mental health experts. These shone a spotlight on “taboo” subjects like depression and suicide. Musida also wrote a children’s book, Shudu Finds Her Magic, which told the story of how she overcame bullying as a child.  The glittering Miss World event was hosted by TV p

Miss South Africa Shudufhadzo Musida can now add the title of author to her impressive list of achievements. Musida has written a children’s book –  Shudu Finds Her Magic , published by Jacana Media in six languages and with delightful illustrations by Chantelle and Burgen Thorne – which will be available in bookstores around the country and online towards the end of August.   The book is inspired by Musida’s own childhood and the bullying she experienced when she moved to a new province and a new school.   Musida is a well-known advocate for mental health awareness, and this year launched her online mental health initiative # MindfulMondays  on her Instagram platform @shudufhadzomusida ,  in conjunction with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) and Discovery Vitality. She explains: “The book is aimed at children aged between four and 12 years of age and deals with bullying and the power of friendship. I hope that youngsters will be able to see themselves reflected in

    Johannesburg, South Africa  - Special Olympics South Africa and the Shudufhadzo Foundation this past weekend launched their partnership with Fulufhelo Special School in Tohoyandou, Vhembe in Limpopo Province. The partnership will focus on the mental health and physical well-being of children and adults living with an intellectual disability (ID) and also aims to create awareness of the challenges faced by people living with ID in South Africa.                    Ms Shudufhadzo Musida, the Chairperson of the Shudufhadzo Foundation, who spoke at the launch said,  “It is important to note that while ID is not a mental illness, children and adults with ID experience stigmatisation, discrimination, bullying, neglect and marginalisation which leaves them at greater risk of developing mental health issues. They are often diagnosed only with ID and not screened for potential mental health problems.” The partnership was launched with the announcement of a pilot project at Fulufhelo Special