Ten inspiring women from around the country will be competing in the Miss South Africa finale in Cape Town on Saturday.
While they’re vying for the right to wear the ultimate accessory — the pageant’s dazzling uBuhle crown — they’ll be modelling outfits by some of the country’s most talented designers.
BRIGHT BEGINNINGS
Everyone knows first impressions count, right? That’s why the finalists will make their debut in boldly coloured outfits with a distinctly African design by Sherif the Tailor.
GOING SWIMMINGLY
Designer Tracy Efstathiou of TracyB Swimwear is no stranger to showcasing her work on the Miss SA stage — she created the costumes for the swimwear section of the 2020 pageant. Miss SA 2020 Shudufhadzo Musida and first runner-up Thato Mosehle in swimsuits by Tracy B Swimwear at the 2020 Miss SA pageant.
“This year we are using very natural, earthy colours — soft and feminine with long, floating kaftans. I’m very excited about these designs; they’re completely different to my normal barely-there bikinis, but still very sexy and classy,” she says.
For Efstathiou, it was important that all the contestants felt confident in the outfits she’d created. “Swimwear is personal so wear what you feel comfortable in regardless of what fashion dictates.”
When it comes to picking a swimsuit, she suggests that you “draw attention to your best bits with bright colours and bold prints and use neutral or dark shades to hide the ‘insecure bits’”.
MAIN ATTRACTION
And now, the moment we have all been waiting for — evening wear.
Five designers were each tasked with dressing a pair of finalists; the brief was to capture those contestants’ childhood memories in their clothing designs.
“My brand is all about simplicity and clean lines but when designing for pageants I make sure that the girls stand out with more bling, high slits and exaggerated designs,” says Georges Malelu (formerly of Quiteria and George).
He used baby photos of finalists Kgothatso Dithebe and Tiffany Francis to fuel ideas for their outfits. Natasha Joubert, second runner up of the 2020 Miss SA pageant, in Jolache Couture during the Miss Universe Preliminary Competition on May 14 2021.
Jolandie Fouche of Jolache Couture took a similar approach when dressing finalists Bianca Bezuidenhout and Lalela Mswane.
“With these specific dresses, we used childhood pictures as inspiration. We wanted to make them personal, beautiful and unique.”
Lena-Lisa Retief of Lena-Lisa aimed to capture the emotions associated with the “pure and powerful” childhood memories of finalists Catherine Groenewald and Jeanni Mulder in her designs.
“This translated into the selection of the colour palette,” she explains.
“Finalists Cheneil Hartzenberg and Moratwe Masima’s dresses will be sparkly, shimmery and as elegant as the ladies wearing them,” says Iman Itumeleng Mtshali, owner of Iman Shaik, who also focused on fit.
“You can expect sophistication and modern African couture,” says Sello Medupe of Scalo of the looks he’s created for finalists Kaylan Matthews and Zimi Mabunzi.
- Miss South Africa 2021 will be crowned on 16 October at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town.
- The winner will receive R1 million in cash, the use of a fully-furnished apartment at Central Square Sandton, and a Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan for the year of her reign.
- The Miss South Africa live show will feature top local artists, including the Ndlovu Youth Choir, Ntokozo Mbambo and Zakes Bantwini.
The Miss South Africa 2021 top 5:
- Bianca Bezuidenhout
- Jeanni Mulder
- Lalela Mswane
- Moratwe Masima
- Zimi Mabunzi
Update: 17:30
Kaylan Matthews wins the fitness award at Miss South Africa 2021:
Miss South Africa 2021 is officially underway – here’s where to watch.
Tune in to see Shudufhadzo Musida crown her successor live, from the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town.
Watch the live broadcast of the pageant now on M-Net (DStv 101) or Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).
Not close to a TV? No problem! The pageant is also available to view online from anywhere in the world. This pay per view option costs R115 and includes exclusive content.
Visit Computicket to subscribe to the live stream. Watch now to see who will hold the power next.