- Miss South Africa 2020, Shudufhadzo Musida, is being lauded for her contribution to mental health awareness.
- Her first accolade came when Musida was invited by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to serve as its Regional Champion.
- The same week, Glamour magazine chose her as the Glamour Woman of the Year 2022 in the Mental Health Gamechanger category.
- “This acknowledgement is proof that my work in the mental health space is not going unnoticed,” Musida said of the two accolades.
Miss South Africa 2020, Shudufhadzo Musida, is being lauded for her contribution to mental health awareness.
The former beauty queen was recognised by the United Nations and Glamour magazine this week for working to remove the stigma attached to mental health issues.
Her first accolade came when Musida was invited by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to serve as its Regional Champion.
Lydia Zigomo, UNFPA regional director for East and Southern Africa, said Musida’s advocacy for mental health awareness would see her empower young women and girls in the region, especially in the areas of sexual and reproductive health.
In accepting the position, Shudu described the intersection between the trauma experienced by women who do not have control over their bodies and mental illness. During her stint as regional champion, she intends to let women and girls know that gender-based violence, rape, unwanted pregnancies and challenges around their reproductive health is not something they have to live with.
“She will address the challenges that surround mental health. Misunderstood, stigmatised and often left untreated, mental health has become a crisis. UNFPA is at the forefront of ‘Healing When Crisis Strikes’ – providing lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services and integrating services for gender-based violence, mental health, and psychosocial support.”
— Lydia Zigomo, UNFPA regional director for East and Southern Africa, said of Shudu Musida’s new role.
The same week, Glamour magazine chose her as the Glamour Woman of the Year 2022 in the Mental Health Gamechanger category.
This, Nontando Mposo, Glamour editor-in-chief, said was in recognition “for your work and dedication in educating and shining a spotlight on mental health through your initiative Mindful Mondays, which provided education and information around mental health wellness”.
“I’m overwhelmed by the accolades that have been bestowed on me. The one thing I am happy about is that this acknowledgement is proof that my work in the mental health space is not going unnoticed,” Musida said of the two accolades.
“The more we can get the word out there, the better it is all around. I am so happy to receive this attention because it means mental health is getting a voice.”
