The top 30 finalists for the Miss South Africa pageant have been announced. The group consists of nine contestants from Gauteng, five from the Western Cape, four from KwaZulu-Natal, three from the Eastern Cape and North West, and two each from the Northern Cape and Limpopo. Mpumalanga and Free State each have one representative.
Two married women and a mother have made Miss SA history by making the top 30 as the pageant enters a new era where marital and parental status no longer affect contestants. Jordan van der Vyver and Nicole Eksteen, both married, were announced as part of the top 30. Rozelle Bester, a mother of a five-year-old son, also made the list.
The finalists come from diverse educational backgrounds, with some holding degrees in BCom, science, psychology, law, education, film, and architecture. Among them is a student training to be a pilot.
Notably, Natasha Joubert, who was the second runner-up in the 2020 Miss South Africa pageant, is making a comeback. Joubert went on to represent South Africa in the Miss Universe competition. Another contestant of interest is Natalia Jefferys, a BCom marketing management graduate and owner of a fashion house. Previous pageant participants who have made it to the top 10 include Keaoleboga Nkashe (2022), Melissa Nayimuli (2020), and Bryoni Govender (2018).
Rozelle Bester, a 27-year-old single mother from Free State, stands out for her role as a sales representative and her pursuits as a model and makeup artist. Eksteen, 28, from the Western Cape, has an honors degree in fashion design and serves as a project manager for a design and marketing agency.
Stephanie Weil, CEO of the Miss South Africa Organization, expressed excitement about the diverse backgrounds and talents of the finalists. She emphasized that the competition aims to showcase the multifaceted nature of women as business owners, leaders, influencers, mothers, daughters, philanthropists, role models, ambassadors, and queens.
The pageant has evolved from a one-night event to a platform where viewers can truly get to know the finalists through the television show.
The top 30 finalists are as follows: Ané Oosthuysen, Anelisa Nxele, Angie Mkwanazi, Anke Rothmann, Barbara Moagi, Carmen Barnard, Hestie Jooste, Homba Mazaleni, Karla Pienaar, Khanya Desi, Lebohang Raputsoe, Lerato Maponya, Levern “Donnatella” José, Lungo Katete, Malandi Marais, Mbali Mbalu, Michelle Kruger, Naledi Mara, Nande Mabala, Ndyebo Lurayi, Oreabetse “Rea” Molefe, Sibusisiwe Zwane, and Thandolwenkosi Hadebe.
Voting lines to support the contestants and help them advance to the next round opened on May 24 and will close on May 28. The finalists will be announced in June. Overall, the top 30 finalists for the Miss South Africa pageant represent a diverse group of women from different provinces and educational backgrounds. Their talents, ambitions, and aspirations make them worthy contenders for the crown and the opportunity to represent South Africa.
Mboma Mboma