By Sonica Naudé-Steyn

Practicing High Court attorney and 28-year-old Miss SA entrant, Kazumi Sebonka, was born and raised in Kokstad and now hopes to share her passion for children in need on a national and international platform.
Kazumi (neé Sakimoto) was born on a cold winters morning on 30 June 1997 and raised in Kokstad by her late mother, Reinette. She then attended Holy Cross Preschool and thereafter Kokstad Junior School.
“Some of my most cherished memories were made during those early years of my life. As a child, a few fond memories come to mind. I remember travelling the whole of Kokstad, with my mother, while she sold biscuits. At the time, I remember complaining endlessly about it, but today I look back on those moments with so much fondness. They showed me, even at a very young age, just how hard working and determined my mother was in making sure that we always had what we needed. That really stuck with me throughout the years and which I implement even today in my personal life as well as my professional life,” says Kazumi.
She also has fond memories of growing up on a farm she referred to as “Oom Lukas se plaas”.
“I was surrounded by animals and the peacefulness of nature. I made a lot of friends on the farm, they taught me to speak a bit of Xhosa as well, of which I am very proud. I remember waking up at 04h00am in the morning to walk to the dairy to fetch fresh cows’ milk in a 2L coke bottle. I remember how the warm milk in the bottle warmed my little hands on the way back home. I remember it like it was just yesterday,” recalls Kazumi.
She completed her high schooling career at Voortrekker High School in Pietermaritzburg, where she matriculated in 2015 as Head Girl of Huis Jan Stander (hostel), as well as the Deputy Head Girl of the school. She then went on to study at the North-West University in Potchefstroom, pursuing her degrees in BA Law (majoring in Psychology) and an LLB thereafter. She graduated as a proud member of the Golden Key International Honour Society.
“I’ve always had a fondness for children in need, navigating difficult home dynamics. As this was something that was not unfamiliar to me. I’ve always wanted to advocate for those children that cannot otherwise speak up for themselves. As an attorney now, I am finally able to do just that!” said Kazumi.
She graduated with both her degrees from NWU in 2019 and 2021, respectively, and went on to do her Articles. Kazumi is now an admitted and practicing attorney with the Right of Appearance in the High Court of South Africa at a reputable law firm in Pretoria, which she feels is one her greatest achievements professionally.
Kazumi also found love while at university, meeting her now husband, in her first year.
“I remember meeting him on campus, he took my breath away. He was everything I had ever prayed for, green eyes, dark wavy hair, tall – my Justin Sebonka. He was the complete package. My answered prayer, far beyond the physical features, he was kind, caring, a family man. Everything I needed, just as my life changed forever,” says Kazumi.
Sadly, she lost her mother and step father within 11 days of each other in November 2019. “This had a profound impact on me as a young 20-year-old women still navigating my life. I had to adjust and pivot. My studies and books, have always served as an escape when life inevitably got difficult. This remains true to this day,” says Kazumi.
On 17 December 2022 Kazumi and Justin tied the knot, five years after meeting.
“Life continues to be so beautiful with him and I consider myself so blessed to have him.”
Kazumi this year entered the Miss SA pageant in hopes to use the platform to advocate for children in need.
“My motivation has always been to advocate for children from broken homes, facing unspeakable situations. My heart has always been to serve those little boys and girls. The Miss SA platform allows not only for the foundation, but global support of this passion that I have. As an attorney, I will leverage my legal skills and network to pioneer and champion those children by way of community engagement and mentorship opportunities. Speaking about the course is not enough, we need to go into the communities and do the work, speak with the most vulnerable and represent those who are often forgotten and overlooked. Regardless of the outcome, the work and the mandate remains – serve,” says Kazumi.
She says the help she received as a young child from ‘two very special people’ has also given her a ‘pay it forward’ outlook on life.
“God willing, should I progress in the competition, I will use my voice to advocate and speak for those precious children and to create safe spaces and opportunities to better their lives. It is so deeply personal to me, because I was a young little girl navigating some tough situations as a child and two people took me under their wings. Their love and support of me went far beyond just financial assistance, they saw me, invested in me and that changed the trajectory of my life. That planted the seed to pay it forward. I owe a lot of who I am today to those two, very dear people,” she concluded.
The Top 30 finalists for the Miss SA 2026 are set to be announced soon and we wish our local girl all the best going forward.