Jewels of hope: the woman behind Makhanda’s empowering modelling movement
Tuesday, 30th September 2025
From beauty queen to community builder, this is the story of Ashante Satsha and Embo Jewels. Satsha is a beauty pageant queen, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for youth empowerment who began her journey at 15. Since then she’s earned multiple titles, including Miss Freshiet, Mrs Cingani, and Miss High School. Even motherhood couldn’t slow her down, she went on to become a finalist in Mrs Majestic Royalty South Africa.
But Satsha’s ambitions extend far beyond crowns and sashes.
The birth of Embo Jewels: a dream turned movement
In 2023, Satsha founded Embo Jewels Beauty Pageants and Modelling Agency; a platform designed to uplift and empower teenagers of both sexes through modelling and pageantry. The agency debuted successfully with its first event, Miss Spring 2023, setting the stage for what would become a growing movement.
“This work is a calling for me,” Satsha says. “Most children grow up under very difficult situations, and that often leads them to make bad life decisions. I want to change that.”
With limited resources, but unshakable passion, she started Embo Jewels from scratch. Early support came from sponsors like The Mustard Seed health shop and Clicks who helped provide gifts and essentials for the children.
“We hope to one day own our own school,” Satsha said. “We’re working towards registering Embo Jewels as an NPO because I’m deeply committed to helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Today, Embo Jewels has expanded its reach beyond Makhanda into East London, and the vision is bold: to have an Embo Jewels office in every city.
The art behind the name
Satsha told Grocotts Mail how her jewellery is designed and made. ” I make them from natural products, trees, leaves, sometimes recycled objects. I cannot reveal all my secrets but, in one word, I make them from nature and the art of expression, personality and personify as per the buyer.” Consequently, every piece Satsha makes is personalised.
Her process is thought out meticulously. She starts with an idea, “a vision and a feel” that she wants to outwardly express at that particular moment. She explains that, for her, the term ‘jewel’ is deeper and she defines jewel being “feminine energy expression”.
From her home studio, Satsha makes earrings, crowns, bracelets and necklaces. She explains that part of the Embo Jewlery curriculum is that the girls learn jewellery-making alongside her. They also make their own food and, Satsha said, the girls are going to Mtata a week before the next pageant for agricultural training. Her mission is that “these beautiful ladies are able to create themselves the world they need for themselves. This independence will benefit them as it will save them from a lot of trouble which woman or young girls undergo in today’s time, where women would do anything for money, or sell themselves.”
With this focus on empowerment, Satsha speaks passionately about what she wants these young women to learn. “If young girls know how beautiful they are, they will never give attention to an older man who complements their beauty. If they know how to create their own jobs, plant their own food and how to cook [their foraged food], they would never sell themselves for take aways. And if they have spaces such as Embo Jewels where they express themselves through dancing, modelling, poetry, singing, they would never do drugs to escape problems in their homes.”
Now, Embo Jewels is on a quest to find an office. Satsha envisions a space that has computers as well as a focus on internal healing, while building meaning in social development, arts and culture. She and the girls are reaching out to the public to be apart of this initiative and help fund these developments. “We welcome you and we need you,” Satsha said. “All these kids need is attention, love and to be celebrated. They want to feel valued,” she said.
Empowering through confidence and creativity
Satsha doesn’t just run pageants, she holds regular rehearsals, collaborates with schools, and provides training in modelling and confidence-building. But she’s also candid about the challenges.
“Many of these kids can’t afford the equipment they need to succeed in modelling. But they deserve a fair chance,” she said. “That’s why I’m hoping for more financial support.”
Voices of transformation: what the models say
Ngokholo Mbula, a participant in the Embo Jewels Modelling Campaign, expressed deep gratitude for the experience. “Working with Embo Jewels has been incredible. Their stunning pieces have not only elevated my style but boosted my confidence. Wearing their jewellery makes me feel empowered and ready to take on the day.”
Okuhle Gora explained how Embo Jewels had changed her self-image: “Before joining, I lacked confidence. But now, I feel proud of my body. I even won the Best Walk Model prize and was crowned Miss Spring 2024. I’m proof that even chubby girls can shine!”
And Anovuyo Namba, also crowned Miss Spring 2024, said the agency’s motto (‘Only you can walk your journey to serve its purpose’) changed her mindset. “To me, it means success doesn’t come to you; you go and get it. You shape your own future,” Namba said.
Through Embo Jewels, Ashante Satsha has created more than a brand; she is building a movement.
Article by Maleruo Leponesa and originally published by Grocotts Mail.
