About Stride

Stride Institute

About Stride Institute

Since its inception in 2020, Stride Institute has been at the forefront of empowering individuals with essential skills for the world of pageantry, modeling, and public speaking. Founded by Thuli Ndzotyana, whose journey began as Miss Mamelodi Sundowns in 2018, Stride Institute has evolved into a beacon of excellence in the training industry.

A Legacy of Empowerment

Thuli Ndzotyana's early forays into school visits during her Miss Mamelodi Sundowns tenure set the stage for what would become Stride Institute. Her mission was clear: to inspire and mentor young striders across Mamelodi, Soshanguve, Atteridgeville, and Thembisa. This commitment to nurturing talent with similar aspirations formed the cornerstone of the Miss Sundowns program.

From Scout to Visionary

Thulani's role at Rage Models as a Model Scout and Trainer enriched her understanding of the modeling industry. Recognizing the significance of agency representation and the legal safeguards for models, she was propelled to establish Stride Institute in 2020. The institute's curriculum encompasses pageantry, modeling, public speaking, and confidence-building.

Global Footprint, Local Impact

Stride Institute conducts workshops in Gauteng, Gqeberha, and the Bizana Region. The institute's track record boasts the training of pageant queens who have achieved remarkable success, including titles like Miss Universe Thailand, Miss World Thailand, Miss Gauteng Exclusive, and many more. Noteworthy achievements also include placements in prestigious competitions such as Miss Jozi, Miss South Africa, and Miss World South Africa.

Opening Doors, Creating Opportunities

At Stride Institute, we're not only about training; we're about opening doors. We facilitate career opportunities for our models by crafting professional Z-Cards and connecting them with renowned brands like BioSculpture. We've also been instrumental in providing trained models for TV productions, including collaborations with acclaimed shows like 7 De Laan and uBettina Wethu Season 3 in 2022.

Official Trainer for Miss UJ APK 2023

Striding towards excellence, Stride Institute proudly served as the official Trainer for Miss UJ APK 2023. Over the course of a month, we mentored and trained the finalists, aligning our efforts with the core aim of Miss UJ APK: to find an ambassador who embodies the pillars of the University of Johannesburg.

At Stride Institute, we're not just about preparing individuals for the stage; we're about equipping them with the tools to stride confidently into their futures.

About Thulani

Director of Stride Institute

Thulani Ndzotyana is a bold young woman with aspirations of becoming South African President in the year 2044. She is the founder of the helping hand initiative which strives to be the change it wants to see in the nation.

She is a signed model and voice over artist. She has worked as a model scout, model trainer and social media manager for a commercial modelling agency based in Johannesburg.

She currently works as the HOD at Talent ETC. She also is the CPT division head and Social Media Campaign manager for the Media Personalties signed to the agency.

Her work experience is dynamic as she not only works as a model but has involved herself in the behind the scenes work. This has allowed her to work on fashion show productions like AFI fashion week and the Buyel’ekhaya fashion show.

Thulani is also an MC and activist. She facilitated the Makhanda Film Festival as moderator in conversations regarding women involvement in television spaces. She also moderated the panel discussion on Content & Economic Benefit for Creatives which included Dr John Kani.

Stride Institute and the Sustainable Development Goals

Our Vision

When I look at the work of Stride Institute, it is fundamentally about spreading knowledge and equipping young people with practical life skills. While our institution focuses on the modelling and pageantry industries, the impact of our work goes far beyond those spaces. We aim to develop confident young leaders who are able to communicate effectively, advocate for themselves, and navigate professional environments with knowledge and confidence.

Because of this, I believe Stride Institute aligns strongly with several Sustainable Development Goals.

SDG 4: Quality Education

Stride Institute contributes to quality education by providing training in public speaking, confidence building, and industry knowledge. We train aspiring models, pageant contestants, and young people who want to develop communication and presentation skills. Through structured training sessions, we equip our students with practical skills that can be applied not only on stage, but also in classrooms, workplaces, and leadership spaces.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

A large number of our students are under the age of 18, and we regularly address issues that affect their emotional and mental well-being. Bullying, both in schools and online, is a major challenge faced by many young people. To address this, Stride Institute developed an anti-bullying manual and integrates conversations about confidence, resilience, and self-worth into our training. Our goal is to provide young people with the tools to cope with bullying and build healthy self-esteem.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

While modelling and pageantry are industries that appear to be female-dominated, the broader power structures within the industry—such as agencies, production companies, and decision-making roles—are often male-led. At Stride Institute, we teach our students to understand contracts, build their personal brands, and advocate for themselves professionally. By equipping young women with industry knowledge and confidence, we aim to ensure that they enter the industry informed, empowered, and able to protect their own value.

In this way, Stride Institute contributes to education, well-being, and empowerment, helping young people develop the confidence and knowledge needed to step into opportunities with purpose and power.