From Koffiefontein to Yorkshire: Ingrid Nthabeleng Maseilane’s Inspiring Journey to Represent South Africa at Miss Voluptuous 2025

In the heart of Koffiefontein, a small Free State town known more for its diamond history than beauty pageants, a young girl once dared to dream beyond her surroundings. That girl, now 38-year-old Ingrid Nthabeleng Maseilane, is preparing to take on the world stage as she represents South Africa at the Miss Voluptuous 2025 pageant, taking place in Yorkshire, England, from 27 to 31 October 2025. Her story is one of passion, purpose, and perseverance. A story that celebrates not just beauty, but the power of impact and resilience.

Currently serving as a Social Auxiliary Worker at the Department of Correctional Services in Colesburg, Northern Cape, Ingrid dedicates her professional life to restorative justice, offering vital support to inmates, victims, and communities. But beyond her daily work in rehabilitation and social healing, Ingrid carries a deep commitment to community empowerment that forms the foundation of her Miss Voluptuous platform.

For the competition, Ingrid embarked on a heartfelt community project focusing on Human Trafficking and Gender-Based Violence awareness, issues that continue to scar South African society. She carried out this campaign across five schools, educating learners on the dangers of trafficking, abuse, and exploitation while empowering them to speak out and seek help. Through her workshops and outreach programs, she’s amplifying the voices of women and children, particularly those often silenced by circumstance. Her chosen platforms are women and children under community development, reflecting her lifelong mission to build safer, more compassionate communities.

Ingrid raising awareness about human trafficking and gender based violence at one of the schools in Bloemfontein 

Image supplied: Ingrid Nthabeleng Maseilane

“I empower, I develop and maximise the potentials of women and children,” says Ingrid, her voice firm, carried with conviction, reflects both her professional calling and personal purpose.

Pageantry is not new to Ingrid. Her journey began as a teenager between the ages of 14 and 16, when she was crowned Miss BMW at just 15 years old in her hometown of Koffiefontein. It was there that she first learned how beauty and purpose could coexist. Years later, that spark evolved into a series of remarkable achievements:

• Miss Plus World SA Ambassador Humanitarian (2018)

• Miss Township SA Delegate (2020)

• Miss Curvy SA Finalist (2021)

• Miss Plus Size Universe International (2021)

Ingrid didn’t just compete, she grew into a mentor and leader in the pageant world. In 2022, she served as National Director of Miss Universe Plus Size South Africa, and today she continues to empower other women through her role as National Director of Miss Plus Global Revolutionary South Africa.

Her road to Miss Voluptuous 2025 has not been without challenges. Ingrid first entered the pageant in 2023, but financial constraints prevented her from competing internationally. Yet, as she often says, “delay is not denial”, she returned stronger, more determined, and ultimately earned the title of Miss Voluptuous South Africa 2025, securing her ticket to represent the nation in England.

Ingrid Nthabeleng Maseilane empowering women in her community and raising awareness about gender based violence and human trafficking

Image supplied: Ingrid Nthabeleng Maseilane

The journey is about more than crowns and sashes for Ingrid. It is about representation and showing that beauty, leadership, and compassion can come in every size, and that South African women can lead from the heart. “Pageantry is a platform for purpose,” she often explains, and her story embodies that truth in every way.

As she prepares to carry the South African flag on the Miss Voluptuous international stage, she remains rooted in her values: faith, service, and community development. Her dream is not only to bring home the crown but to continue creating spaces where women and children can heal, grow, and thrive.

“I want every young woman from a small town like mine to know that their dreams are valid and that their voice and purpose matter. This journey is for all of us,” Ingrid shared passionately.

From a small-town girl in Koffiefontein to a national titleholder representing her country abroad, Ingrid Nthabeleng Maseilane is more than just a beauty queen; she is a symbol of hope, courage, and unstoppable purpose.

And as she steps onto that stage in Yorkshire later this month, one thing is certain: she will not only represent South Africa but also every woman who has ever dared to rise above her circumstances and shine.