Trans reality TV star Yaya Mavundla honoured by Sowetan’s Woman’s Club

Yaya Mavundla continues to break barriers for the transgender community after being recognised as a Sowetan’s Woman’s Club achiever.

Saturday’s event in Johannesburg celebrated some of South Africa’s most-admired women in three categories; Arts & Culture, Beauty & Fashion and Media & Entertainment.

Mavundla was honoured as the Arts & Culture trendsetter, receiving more than 80% of the public votes.

The publicist, events manager, stylist and star of the reality series Becoming, recently presented and curated the art exhibition Layers of a Black Transgender Woman at Constitution Hill to celebrate Women’s Month.

The Sowetan Women’s Club aims to empower ambitious and aspirational women by creating a networking platform where they can learn from other like-minded women in fun and interactive spaces.

Looking radiant and fashion-forward in an Imprint original, Mavundla spoke in her acceptance speech about her upbringing and journey to becoming her true self.

“To me, this is still a culture shock. I grew up in a space where we didn’t have television, I didn’t know [that] newspapers and magazines existed,” Mavundla said.

“I also didn’t know people get awards and to see myself making headlines, starring in a TV show and getting recognition from Sowetan and many other spaces is a validation that we are all worthy and nothing is impossible,” Mavundla said.

TV personality Olwethu Leshabane was honoured in the media and entertainment category while fashion stylist Omila Gqoboka was the winner in the beauty and fashion category.

Becoming Yaya Mavundla