House Mopane’s much-anticipated Miss Mealie event made a triumphant return on 22 March 2025, rekindling traditions that have been absent since 2013. In an exclusive interview with PDBY, key figures at House Mopane explained that this year’s event, which crowned Zancha van Raaij as Miss Mealie, was designed not only to spotlight beauty but also to promote unity and cultural pride ahead of the upcoming Oesdag festival.
Adriaan van Niekerk, the Internal Culture Officer and lead organiser, explained the main goal. “The whole purpose of Miss Mealie was to [promote] Oesdag and get a lot of people from different residences [together],” he said. The judging process was uniquely tailored to reflect House Mopane’s cultural identity. Contestants were initially evaluated through a Google Form that included playful, Mopane-specific questions, such as identifying the “tallest Mealie”, ensuring that only those who truly understood and embodied the Mopane spirit advanced.
Zancha van Raaij recalled that in the days leading up to the event, she experienced a “mix of excitement and anxiety”. Being naturally introverted, she admitted, “Stepping into something like a pageant was definitely out of my comfort zone.” Still, she signed up because she “really wanted to win the title of Miss Mealie”, seeing the event as a chance to push her personal boundaries, especially after two years as a Mopane bae and meeting her boyfriend there during O-week.
Reflecting on the event, Van Raaij described it as “an incredible experience” filled with fun and unity. “It was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed seeing everyone come together,” she observed, noting the palpable energy and positive spirit. She also appreciated how House Mopane made every contestant feel “comfortable, supported, and kept in high spirits”. When crowned Miss Mealie, she said the moment felt “incredible and honestly, a little surreal!” She concluded, “All the nerves and anxiety I had leading up to the event were worth it.”
Chairperson Philip Morkel highlighted that Miss Mealie is not a typical beauty pageant focused solely on appearances. Instead, it serves as a celebration of cultural heritage and tradition. “It’s our build-up to Oesdag, where we harvest the mealies that we planted in front of our residence,” he explained. For Morkel, the revival of Miss Mealie is a commitment to preserving the essence of House Mopane, ensuring that while the event celebrates the confidence and personalities of the contestants, it remains deeply rooted in tradition and community values.
Organising such a grand event posed significant challenges, especially as all involved are students balancing academic responsibilities with event planning. Van Niekerk acknowledged that coordinating assignments and managing the logistics of such a multi-faceted event was difficult. However, the success of Miss Mealie was made possible through a well-organised committee structure that allowed for effective delegation of tasks, from ticket sales to on-the-day coordination, thus ensuring that every detail was addressed efficiently.
For both Van Niekerk and Morkel, the revived Miss Mealie is a statement of intent. It symbolises a dedication to nurturing a vibrant internal culture that not only prepares the way for the larger Oesdag celebration, but also creates lasting memories for the community. Finally, Morkel stressed that what they stand for is about more than winning in external events – it’s about enjoying the moment, giving back to House Mopane, and creating stories that will be cherished for generations.
