Revlon South Africa and GLAMOUR South Africa tonight named Mikateko Ngobeni the winner of the “Revlon x GLAMOUR Unforgettable Cover Girl Search”, closing a nationwide campaign that invited everyday South African women onto a cover traditionally reserved for celebrities and public figures. Ngobeni, 26, from Johannesburg, will appear on the August 2026 digital cover of GLAMOUR South Africa. She was selected from more than a thousand entries received in a single week, and from a Top 5 of remarkable finalists revealed at tonight's celebration.
The Woman Behind the Cover
Mikateko's turning point came when she realised the biggest obstacle between her and the life she wanted was her own self-doubt. Once she decided to say yes to every opportunity, everything moved: she graduated magna cum laude, built a career as a software engineer, found a creative outlet in content creation, and designed and built her own smart mirror. She is quick to say none of it came from being extraordinary; it came from refusing to let fear, doubt or imposter syndrome have the final word.
Five Women, Five Unforgettable Stories
Mikateko was joined in the Top 5 by four women whose journeys moved the country: Nomcebo Natasha Khuzwayo, who rebuilt her life after a life-changing car accident, returning to modelling and completing her teaching degree; Mbali Mpanza, who discovered that growth lives in our most uncomfortable moments while chasing her dream of building a beauty brand; Naledi Mfoloe, diagnosed with lupus at thirteen, who decided it would be part of her story but never the author of it; and Nishttha Ramnath, whose journey of healing and rediscovering her voice inspired her dream of becoming a doctor who advocates for the unseen and unheard.
“Being unforgettable is not about perfection, fame or fitting into someone else's idea of beauty,” says Heather Goate, Marketing Director at Revlon South Africa. “It is about having the confidence to own your story and step boldly into every opportunity that comes your way. Mikateko chose herself, and in doing so she gave thousands of other women permission to do the same.”
“The authenticity, diversity and courage in these stories reflect exactly who South African women are, and exactly who belongs on the cover of GLAMOUR,” adds Nontando Mposo, Editor-in-Chief of GLAMOUR South Africa.
Follow Mikateko's journey at @Mikangobeni_, and join the celebration with @RevlonSA and @Glamour_SA.
