Young Model Raises Awareness on Human Trafficking

Photo: Phumela Mnyameni, Semi-finalist at the Miss Dream Team Gym 2024.

By: Staff Reporter

A young pageant model and a semifinalist at the Miss Dream Team Gym, Phumela Mnyameni 22, raises awareness on human trafficking by educating young children.

Dream Team Gym is a Bloemfontein based gym with two branches, one situated at Raymond Mhlaba Street Noordhoek and the other based at 110 Nelson Mandela Drive.

It is estimated that there are millions of victims; though only about 50-100 000 cases are reported each year in the country.

The University of Johannesburg reported that trafficking occurs at a slightly higher rate for girls than boys, with 55 % of all trafficked people in South Africa being female and 44.5 % being male.

Mnyameni hails from the dusty streets of Zastron, a small town situated in the Southern Eastern Free State region, she moved to Bloemfontein to further her studies.

Dream Team Gym tasked their semifinalist contestants with raising awareness on human trafficking as efforts to combat the inhumane act of crime.

Mnyameni exceeded expectations for the challenge by visiting a pre-school in Brandwag and also creating a mini-video which made rounds on social media.

“Children are the ones that are most vulnerable they need to be protected and educated about human trafficking. I took an opportunity to come and spend a day with them to give a few lessons and also interact with our future leaders. They are the future and therefore need to be aware of certain things at a very tender age,” said delighted Mnyameni.

Dream Team Gym will host the Miss Dream Team Gym 2024 finale pageant at Reizis Square, Bloemfontein, on March 23 at 17:00 pm.

The voting line for Phumela Mnyameni is DREAM 03 to 47439, SMS Cost at R3 per vote.

Tickets for the finale are sold at R200, enquiries can be directed to the gym WhatsApp contact details at 063 945 2446.