At just seven years old, Linani Potwana is making waves in the beauty pageant scene as she has already earned multiple titles thanks to her remarkable stage presence and charisma.
This year, the Mdantsane-born rising star went viral after her show-stopping appearance at the IPA All-Star contest in Wuhan, China.
She confidently strutted the runway, ultimately earning the title of “IPA All-Star Champion” and a crown.
Her video amassed over 3 million views, 100,000 likes and 3,000 comments on Instagram, leaving many social media users in awe seeing the seven-year-old take the fashion world by storm.
“IPA ALL STAR CORONATION CONTEST IN WUHAN, CHINA,” the post was captioned.
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Potwana now carries four titles under name namely: Face of African International Kids Fashion Week, 2025 Mini Miss Africa SA second runner-up, 2025 Mini Miss SA Eastern Cape and the IPA title she recently won.
Taking to Instagram, it was also revealed that she competed in her first ever pageant this year in August at the Little Mr and Miss Africa SA, where she walked away with five titles.
“FIRST PAGEANT. FIVE TITLES. UNSTOPPABLE. I stepped onto that stage for the very first time – nervous, excited and determined. Even with a few little mistakes along the way, I never lost confidence, never gave up, I showed up like a true queen,” the caption read.
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Potwana’s modelling journey began in 2023, when she was handpicked to showcase Dior’s designs at Paris Fashion Week Kids Unit in Beijing.
Even though walking for Dior marked Potwana’s first major modelling gig, it was her second time on the runway, as she had modelled before for a spring fashion show the same year, which was sponsored by her fashion school.
She has since then walked the Shanghai Children’s Fashion Week, China International Children’s Fashion Week and modelled for various international and local brands.
Many social media users flooded the comment section with pride, seeing the little star shine and also representing SA with such boldness and confidence.
“She doesn’t need confidence, confidence needs her! Absolutely beautiful and stunning performance,” @vuyo_qutywa shared.
“She is the girl she thinks she is,” @aqua_red wrote.
While @penny1_fs added: “This girl was the star of the show.”
