‘I’m so humbled and honoured’ – Shudufhadzo Musida receives mental health accolades

Shudufhadzo Musida

Cape Town – Miss South Africa 2020, Shudufhadzo Musida has been recognised for her contribution to mental health awareness.

This week, the Limpopo-born beauty queen was acknowledged by the United Nations and Glamour magazine for her efforts in tackling the stigma attached to mental health issues.

Musida announced her partnership with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on her Instagram page on Thursday.

“Official launch of my partnership with the @unfpa as their new Regional Champion for East and Southern Africa,” she wrote.

 

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She said she will play an instrumental role in the advocacy of universal access to sexual and reproductive health as well as the mental health of women and girls in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region.

“So humbled and honoured to be a part of this amazing organisation. The challenges we face are daunting and the path ahead may not be easy, but it is important, and I am ready for the task.” the beauty queen said.

UNFPA regional director for East and Southern Africa, Lydia Zigomo said Musida’s new role will see her addressing challenges that surround mental health.

“Misunderstood, stigmatised and often left untreated, mental health has become a crisis. UNFPA is at the forefront of ‘Healing When Crisis Strikes’ – providing lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services and integrating services for gender-based violence, mental health, and psychosocial support,” said Zigomo in a statement.
Shudu was also chosen as the Glamour Woman of the Year 2022 in the Mental Health Gamechanger category for shining a spotlight on mental health through her initiative Mindful Mondays.

“I’m overwhelmed by the accolades that have been bestowed on me. The one thing I am happy about is that this acknowledgment is proof that my work in the mental health space is not going unnoticed,” Musida said in another Instagram post.

“The more we can get the word out there, the better it is all around. I am so happy to receive this attention because it means mental health is getting a voice,” she said.

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Picture: Instagram/ shudufhadzomusida

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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe 

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