Mahosazana Azana Masango, a musician, model, and philanthropist, is using her journey in the Miss South Africa 2026 competition to promote improved access to education and provide opportunities for young people, especially those living in underserved communities.
The 25-year-old Masango hails from Ndvedwe in KwaZulu-Natal and is one of 19 finalists vying for the title while simultaneously earning a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree at the University of South Africa (UNISA).
Most known for her musical career, Masango intends to use her platform to inspire hope and positive change, drawing on her own experience in the entertainment industry and working with youth.
As part of the Empower Youth Africa (EYA) program by the Miss South Africa Organisation, her work focuses on ensuring access to knowledge and education, with a special emphasis on improving learning conditions in disadvantaged schools.
Masango's work at Fuzulwazi High School shaped her understanding of the challenges faced by students and teachers in poor areas. In an interview with IOL, she described inadequate sanitary conditions in the school, a shortage of desks and chairs, limited educational resources, and poor infrastructure.
She noted: 'There aren't enough desks or chairs for students to sit and write,' adding that some students have transferred to neighboring institutions with better facilities. According to Masango, there are 153 students at the school, and due to a lack of teachers, only a limited number of subjects are offered.
Her experience reinforced the belief that access to quality education requires more than just having a school. Students also need proper amenities, resources, and an environment that supports their academic development. She stated: 'I believe every child should have access to the proper facilities and infrastructure needed for a quality education.'
Masango also highlighted the issue of digital inequality among students who lack access to computers and other technologies at school, putting them at a disadvantage when applying to higher education institutions.
In addition to advocating for improved school infrastructure, Masango uses music to support the personal growth of youth. Through participation in choirs throughout her school years, she believes music helped her develop leadership skills and self-confidence.
She currently leads the choir program at Fuzulwazi High School, where, in her view, the benefits go beyond just learning to sing. She explained: 'When I teach my choir, we are not just working on mastering music; we are working on communication skills and self-esteem.'
Masango encourages students to carry themselves with pride, whether performing on stage or preparing for opportunities outside the classroom. She tells her students: 'Lift your heads high, ziqhenye, ziqhaje!', using this phrase to encourage them to be uncompromisingly proud of themselves.
She believes that extracurricular activities play a vital role in shaping well-rounded students, giving young people opportunities to discover their talents and develop skills that will benefit them throughout life.
Masango is also extending her efforts to emerging musicians, providing them with access to studio equipment and fully funded recording opportunities. With professional recording experience dating back to age 15, she understands the difficulties young artists face when entering the music industry.
She recounted that in her youth, her brothers accompanied her to studio sessions to help ensure her safety. However, moving to Johannesburg meant navigating the industry without that support system. These experiences influenced her decision to create a safer space for aspiring artists.
'When I provide my resources to young artists, I give them a safe space where I can help protect them from exploitation, substance abuse, and sexual harassment, which often occur in our entertainment industry,' she said.
Through these opportunities, Masango hopes to help young creatives retain ownership of their music while pursuing their ambitions without compromising their values. For her, passing on the resources she has gained through her career is an important part of empowering the next generation.
Masango asserts that her Empower Youth Africa program has already achieved several successes at Fuzulwazi High School. The school choir has won first place twice in the iLembe district school choir competition, and a collaboration between the Makhosazana Foundation and the Centre for African Philanthropy and Social Investment at the University of VUT facilitated a shoe drive that distributed 2,500 pairs of shoes to underserved schools across South Africa. Fuzulwazi High School was among the beneficiaries.
Her foundation has also introduced badges for academic achievements and extracurricular accomplishments to encourage students to strive for their goals. Masango reported that this initiative led to an increase in semester marks across all grades. She also noticed an improvement in school attendance on choir practice days, alongside what she describes as increased student confidence, school pride, and behavior.
In February, the program introduced the Mr. and Ms. Valentine pageant, which, according to Masango, has become an annual school tradition. In the future, she hopes to extend these initiatives to other underserved schools nationwide. She noted: 'My wish is to see the students of Fuzulwazi High School participate in these competitions so they can repair their school infrastructure and gain access to quality education,' referencing competitions supported by the Motsepe Foundation.
For Masango, the goal is to ensure that more young people have access to the amenities, support, and opportunities they need to succeed, regardless of their circumstances.