Musician, model and philanthropist Makhosazana Azana Masango is using her Miss South Africa 2026 journey to advocate for better access to education and opportunities for young people, particularly those in under-resourced communities.
The 25-year-old, who hails from Ndwedwe in KwaZulu-Natal, is among the top 19 finalists competing for the crown while pursuing an LLB through the University of South Africa (UNISA).
Best known for her music career, Masango hopes to use her platform to inspire hope and positive change, drawing on her own experiences in the entertainment industry and her work with young people.
Through the Miss South Africa Organisation’s Empower Youth Africa (EYA) framework, her advocacy centres on access to education and knowledge, with a particular focus on improving learning conditions at disadvantaged schools.
Witnessing the reality of under-resourced schools
Masango’s work at Phuzulwazi Secondary School has shaped her understanding of the challenges facing learners and teachers in under-resourced communities.
In her interview with IOL, she described the school’s inadequate sanitation facilities, lack of desks and chairs, limited teaching resources and poor infrastructure.
“There are not enough desks or chairs for learners to sit and write,” she said, adding that some learners had left the school for neighbouring institutions with better facilities.
According to Masango, the school has 153 learners and offers a limited number of subjects because of a shortage of teachers.
Her experiences have reinforced her belief that access to quality education requires more than simply having a school to attend. Learners also need proper facilities, resources and an environment that supports their academic development.
“I believe that every child should have access to the proper facilities and infrastructure needed in order for them to have a quality education,” she said.
Masango also highlighted the digital divide faced by learners who do not have access to computers and other technology at school, which can leave them at a disadvantage when they progress to tertiary education.
Using music to build confidence
Beyond her advocacy for improved school infrastructure, Masango is using music to support young people's personal development.
Having participated in choirs throughout her schooling years, she credits music with helping her develop leadership skills and confidence.
She now runs a school choir programme at Phuzulwazi Secondary School, where she believes the benefits extend beyond learning to sing.
“When I teach my choir, it is not only music that we work towards mastering; we tackle communication skills and self-confidence,” she explained.
Masango encourages learners to carry themselves with pride, whether performing on stage or preparing for opportunities beyond the classroom.
“Head up high, ziqhenye, ziqhaje!” she tells her learners, a phrase she uses to encourage them to be unapologetically proud of themselves.
She believes extracurricular activities play an important role in helping schools develop well-rounded learners, giving young people opportunities to discover their abilities and build skills that can benefit them throughout their lives.
Creating safer opportunities for young artists
Masango is also extending her work to aspiring musicians by providing access to studio equipment and fully funded recording opportunities.
Having started recording professionally at the age of 15, she understands the challenges young artists can face when entering the music industry.
She explained that her brothers would accompany her to studio sessions when she was younger, helping ensure her safety. However, moving to Johannesburg meant navigating the industry without that same support system.
Those experiences influenced her decision to create a safer space for emerging artists.
“When I avail my resources to young artists, I give them a safe space where I can help protect them from exploitation, substance abuse and sexual harassment that often occurs 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, sharing access to the resources she has acquired throughout her career is an important part of empowering the next generation.
Making a measurable difference
Masango says her Empower Youth Africa programme has already recorded several milestones at Phuzulwazi Secondary School.
The school's choir has secured first place twice in the iLembe District School Choir Competition, while a collaboration involving the Makhosazana Foundation and the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment at the University of the Witwatersrand contributed to a school shoe drive that distributed 2,500 pairs of shoes to under-resourced schools across South Africa.
Phuzulwazi was among the beneficiary schools.
Her foundation has also introduced academic merit and extracurricular achievement badges to encourage learners to work towards their goals. Masango said the initiative has contributed to increased term marks across grades.
She has also observed improved school attendance on days when choir sessions take place, alongside what she describes as growth in learners' confidence, school pride and behaviour.
In February, the programme introduced a Mr and Miss Valentine modelling pageant, which Masango said has since become an annual school tradition.
Looking ahead, she hopes to expand these initiatives to other under-resourced schools across the country.
“My wish is to see the children of Phuzulwazi Secondary School be a part of these competitions too so they can be able to fix their school infrastructure and have access to quality education,” she said, referring to school competitions supported by the Motsepe Foundation.
For Masango, the goal is to ensure that more young people have access to the facilities, encouragement and opportunities they need to succeed, regardless of their circumstances.
IOL