The 2023 winner will be crowned at Sun International’s flagship venue, the SunBet Arena at Time Square, Pretoria on Sunday, August 13. It promises to be a spectacular and entertainment-packed show and will fittingly take place during Women’s Month.
They are Ané Oosthuysen, Anke Rothmann, Bryoni Govender, Homba Mazaleni, Jordan van der Vyver, Keaoleboga Nkashe, Lebohang Raputsoe, Levern "Donnatella" José, Lungo Katete, Melissa Nayimuli, Nande Mabala and Natasha Joubert.
The contestants represent five provinces – Gauteng has five (including two from the Vaal Triangle and one from Tshwane), followed by the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape with two each while the North West boasts one finalist. They are an impressive group and include a lawyer, a sport scientist, a pharmacist and a four time graduate who has degrees in psychology and medical sociology.
The winner of the People’s Vote was Lungo Katete from Midrand who has a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of the Witwatersrand.
The Miss South Africa Top 12 finalists are (in alphabetical order):
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Ané
Oosthuysen (25), from
Vanderbijlpark, Vaal Triangle in Gauteng, is a primary school teacher
and a four-time graduate with degrees in Psychology and Medical Sociology. She is a multifaceted woman with a big passion to bring
about change in her community. Working with the youth has shown her that issues
related to bullying and living up to expectations of society are so prevalent
in our society today and there is a real need to empower and educate the youth.
She hopes to be this vessel for change.
“Making the Top 12 has been life
changing to say the least. I have always dreamt about this moment and to
finally have the opportunity to live it out is so surreal. It reaffirms my
belief in myself and my advocacy. I am excited to see how this journey will
unfold and, even though it has been a bit stressful and challenging, it’s been
so rewarding. Meeting and spending time with my fellow contestants has been
incredible. I have been able to cultivate deep bonds with many of them and I am
very grateful for that. I am really so ready for what is to come next!”
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Anke
Rothmann
(23) is a pharmacist intern representing the Northern Cape. She obtained
her Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the North West University in
Potchefstroom. She loves being spontaneous and going on adventures, watching
Friends and listening to Taylor Swift. Anke aspires to be someone who can
help others redefine what is important and meaningful in life and inspire them
to attach worth to more than just what is external.
“When
it was announced that I was part of the Top 12 for Miss South Africa 2023, it was
the biggest moment of disbelief I have ever experienced in my life. I will
never get used to this constant feeling of gratitude that I have in my heart.
The fact that this journey has given me the chance to get to know women with
such beautiful characters is something that will always be remembered.”
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Bryoni Govender (26) is from Kempton Park
in Gauteng and is a qualified lawyer working as a trainee associate
whilst awaiting admission to become an attorney. She describes herself as
graceful, ambitious and courageous, and loves a good mutton curry on the
weekend. She adores animals but dogs are her favourite. She also loves
travelling and would like to have a conversation with Angelina Jolie because of
the way she uses her platform as an actress for women empowerment by shining
light on women and girls’ rights around the world.
“When I was told that I made the Top 12, I
felt a feeling of relief because I worked extremely hard to make sure I was
prepared for the judging. I am excited and determined to continue with my Miss
South Africa journey because I have found confidence in my authentic self and
now, more than ever, I am ready to become an ambassador for South Africa.
Making the Top 12 is just one step closer to reaching my goal.”
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Homba Mazaleni (23), from Gonubie, East
London in the Eastern Cape, is a qualified sport scientist and student
intern at the University of the Western Cape. She pursued Biokinetics to help
people recover from injuries and sickness, and it gives her great satisfaction
to help them gain the tools they need to pursue their own goals and passions.
She also loves to binge-watch a good series.
“To being the square peg in the round hole! I
am overwhelmed with joy and pure gratitude. Growing up, I’d always wonder how
it would feel to walk through the doors of the Miss South Africa family and now
I can proudly say to that younger version of myself that I have a place and
proudly belong to this ground-breaking family. None of this would be
possible without the incredible support I have received from my family, friends
and loved ones. Your belief in me and your unwavering support have been my
driving force. I am deeply grateful for each and every one of you. The journey
ahead promises to be an incredible adventure, full of personal growth,
empowerment and leadership development. I am ready to embrace every moment, to
truly learn, to grow, and to use my voice to help actively transform the
landscape of what we have deemed to be equal accessibility to health and
wellness. What an amazing feeling knowing you are destined to break boundaries.”
Jordan van der Vyver (27), from Durbanville, Western Cape, is a model and businesswoman who recently embarked on an entrepreneurial journey as the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of an online pioneering platform. She aims to provide aspiring individuals with invaluable insights, expert advice and comprehensive resources. Her prime concern is cultivating an inclusive society.
“As the first married
contestant, I am immensely grateful and overwhelmed with excitement for making
it into the Top 12. Being here is ground-breaking and a huge honour. I am
thrilled to represent women who were once excluded from pursuing and realising
their dreams due to societal norms. The Miss South Africa platform stands as a
trailblazer in the pageant industry, and the opportunity to be a part of this
process again is truly invaluable. It ignites a renewed sense of purpose and
fuels my determination to make a meaningful impact.”
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Keaoleboga
Nkashe (27), from Itsoseng in the North West, is an educator, student and model.
She describes herself as a lifelong learner with a great sense of humour that
connects people. She is an inclusion activist who is passionate about the
rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and the rights of children. Her lifelong dream
is to head up kindergartens across the African continent that focus on STEAM
education.
“Coming back to do Miss South Africa
was way harder than it was the first time. This time around I truly wanted the
judges to see that alongside this fun, courageous and humorous person that
there’s a woman who is extremely smart, focused and who refuses to give up
until her purpose is realised. Miss South Africa is a destiny thing and being
given the opportunity to walk the stage once again is a testament on its own to
how life changing and incredible this organisation is. I am more than excited
to be a part of the Top 12 and work alongside building and fostering new
relationships and I cannot wait to share my heart with the rest of South Africa
and truly show how capable I am for this role.”
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Lebohang Raputsoe (24) is from
Sharpeville, Vereeniging in Gauteng, and works as an HR practitioner.
She is registered as an HR professional with SABPP and holds a Master’s degree
in Human Resources management and degrees in Industrial Psychology and Labour
Relations Management. She stands for the progression of youth, focussing on
youth empowerment and development.
“I can almost feel
the excitement all over again when were told we have made it into the Top 12.
The feeling of being chosen amongst a group of an incredible women testifies to
the reality that dreams do come true. The journey so far has stretched my
potential and the sisterhood is a bond that keeps deepening. I am truly
grateful to be part of the Top 12.”
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Levern
“Donnatella” José
(23), from Kimberley in the Northern Cape, is a candidate property practitioner,
a BCom law student at Eduvos Pretoria and an entrepreneur.- She is a woman of
resolve, grace and learning. She would love to collaborate with the Minister of
Small Business Development and Minister of Employment and Labour to explore the
economic viability of women and youth in South Africa.
“My journey was not easy and that is what
makes it so worth it. I was overwhelmed by a wave of emotions when I found out
I made it to the Top 12. I am extremely proud of myself for being vulnerable
and honest in my interview. The Miss South Africa Organisation has amazed me so
much by the support offered and simply creating a safe and comfortable space
for me to be my authentic self.”
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Lungo
Katete (26)
from Midrand in Johannesburg, Gauteng, is a creative at heart with a
flair for all things design. This led her to achieve her Bachelors, Honours and
Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of the Witwatersrand. She
was the People’s Vote winner. She considers herself to be very graceful,
resilient, ambitious, charismatic and loves to explore her creative side
through music.
“Ever since I was a little girl, entering Miss
South Africa has been my ultimate dream. When I was told that I had been
selected to be a part of the Top 12, I couldn't contain my emotions and burst
into tears. In that moment, I realised that the little girl who had spent her
entire life yearning to be among the Miss South Africa Top 12 and wear the
crown was now living in that very reality. The word ‘ecstatic’ falls short of
capturing my overwhelming happiness because at this moment, I am truly living
in the dream I have always longed for.”
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Melissa Nayimuli (27) from Butterworth in
the Eastern Cape, was born in a multi-cultural home to a Xhosa mother
and Ugandan father. She is a passionate storyteller and currently works as a
television and film creative producer in Johannesburg. Melissa is passionate
about finding solutions to unify Africans, break the stereotypes and celebrate
diversity, as she believes there is more power and strength in unity.
“A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has
happened again for me. To say I am grateful for being selected as a Top 12
finalist for Miss South Africa 2023 is an understatement. This year’s Top 30
was incredible. Being surrounded by such intelligent, powerful and purposeful
women has been an uplifting experience. I have learned, and continue to learn,
so much from them and I look forward to what the next chapter of this journey
has in store for me and the 11 other women I have the pleasure of working
with. Thank you to everyone who has lent me their time. Thank you to
everyone who voted, showered me with words of love, encouragement and most
importantly, their kindness. I love our beautiful nation; that is why I
remain confident and committed in my message of unity and finding strength in
our diversity.
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Nande
Mabala (25), from Zwelethemba, Worcester in the Western Cape, is a
model, micro-influencer, philanthropist and a triple major BA Arts graduate. She believes her courage, tenacity and drive have moulded
her into the woman she is today. She values having pride in her story and where
she comes from because it is what helps build community with people from all
walks of life.
“Making
it to the Top 12 has been an affirmation that my dreams are valid and they are
attainable. My standout moment has to be when I was told that I had made it in
to the Top 12. I cried tears of victory. I am so proud of myself; I was able to
show the judges my heart and they saw something in me. They believed in my
advocacy and my capabilities. I am surrounded by incredible women from whom I
can learn. The journey so far has been nothing short of amazing, I have learned
a lot about myself and my capabilities already. It has taken me out of my
comfort zone in the best way.”
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Natasha Joubert (25), from Tshwane in Gauteng,
is a BCom Marketing Management graduate and is the owner and fashion designer
of Natalia Jefferys, a company she started when she was 19. She has never let
her circumstances define her future and wants to enable others to also learn
independence and creating their own narrative. She enjoys spending time in
nature, hiking and being with loved ones.
“It feels surreal being back and being granted a second chance! I know this is a testimony I need to share and an incredible message: ‘You're never a product of your circumstances, you're a product of your choices.’ I felt incredible when I walked out of my interview knowing I wore my heart on my sleeve. I want to fully take on these new challenges, grow and evolve even more as a women, but at the same time letting go and enjoy every second! Our group of finalists are fierce! Let me tell you that! I will be forever grateful for this second chance!”
Viewers will get to meet the Top 12 finalists in Crown Chasers, a full-blown and thrilling TV show, revealing the Miss South Africa competition as it’s never been seen before. In the 5 x 60-minute series, those competing for the crown will be placed in real life Miss South Africa scenarios that include several challenges, based on the four pillars of Miss South Africa – duty, championship, empowerment and beauty.
The selection panel who selected the Top 12 are former Miss South Africa title holder Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala (2010), who has served before as a judge; Nobukhosi Nkosi, the award-winning fashion designer and stylist who is the brains behind the brand Khosi Nkosi and CEO of the Miss South Africa Organisation, Stephanie Weil.
Miss South Africa is presented by Weil Entertainment in association with Sun International. https://www.misssa.co.za