Final year occupational therapy student Ayabonga Zantsi who was recently crowned Miss Varsity Cup 2019, plans to use her platform to pursue the community projects she is already involved in.

One such community project – which she and others from the Varsity Cup contest – are already involved in, is the Steadfast safe house for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse.

“I believe that, as Miss Varsity Cup, I am in a much stronger position to help find sponsors, raise funds and get others involved in benefiting the people in the safe house and in the wider community," Zantsi said in an interview.

The safe house, which is in an unpublicized location in Stellenbosch, put women and children up for three months, during which they are cared for and offered activities which enable them to build their practical skills. The project started about two years ago and continued by previous Maties Varsity Cup groups.

“I want to build on this by offering more workshops and adding on to the list of practical skills being taught.

“We try to build them up as much as possible so they can translate their skills and do something productive when they leave the safe house," Zantsi added. “We help them prepare CVs and teach self-defence and try to give them the skills to be the best they can be in the circumstances."

Zantsi (21) was recently crowned Miss Varsity Cup during half time during the rugby match between Maties and University of the Western Cape.

“I was surprised to win the title, but extremely happy and proud," she said.

Zantsi, who hails from King Williams Town in the Eastern Cape, moved to Stellenbosch University four years ago for her studies.

She loves the outdoors and believes in exercising and keeping fit. She is happiest when hiking, camping or trail-running. “The Cape is the perfect place to indulge in all that nature offers. I also love the culture, art and fashion I've been exposed to here. I love fashion, make up and thrift shopping."

Zantsi said she chose a career in occupational therapy because of her long-held interest in health and medicine and in working with people.

“Many of the people we work with have physical and psychiatric health issues. We work a lot in hospitals, schools and community centres, usually with people from poorer backgrounds. I love the fact, that, through our work, we give people hope. It's so rewarding."

While looking forward to a long career in occupational therapy, Zantsi also hopes to stay involved in research work and intends to attend – and address – conferences around the world with a view to promoting global health.