Mrs South Africa has officially announced its 2026 semi-finalists following a series of live national casting events, marking one of the most competitive entry seasons in the pageant’s history.
Entries for the 2026 season closed on 26 January, drawing hundreds of applications from women across the country. Organisers said the strong response reflects both the growing credibility of the Mrs South Africa platform and the increasing real-world impact of its titleholders.
Mrs South Africa CEO Joani Jacobs said the casting process once again highlighted what the programme stands for beyond the crown.
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“There is only one winner, but every woman walks away changed,” Jacobs said. “Mrs South Africa is about personal growth, confidence and purpose. Whether someone reaches the top ten or not, she leaves as a stronger version of herself.”
Live casting events were held at Hotel Sky in Cape Town on 29 January, followed by a national casting at Clearwater Mall in Johannesburg on 31 January. Contestants took part in on-stage interviews, with semi-finalists announced and sashed live at each event. The casting tour continues in Durban on 6 February, with additional regional events expected later this month.
Judges assessed entrants on confidence, stage presence and overall readiness for the year-long programme, often described as the “MBA of life” due to its focus on leadership, discipline and self-awareness.
The judging panel included iME founder and CEO Nivi Grogor, Candice Abrahams, Annette Kasselman and Dr Mpho Phalatse. Jo Judnick-Wilson served as master of ceremonies, while PKF Octagon acted as independent auditors to oversee the integrity of the process.
The announcement of the semi-finalists marks the official start of the Mrs South Africa 2026 journey, which begins with the National Semi-Finalist Conference from 1 to 2 February at Hotel Sky in Sandton. The two-day programme includes workshops on personal branding, media training, networking, content creation and leadership development.
The new season follows a landmark year for the organisation. In 2025, Tshego Gaelae became the first Black South African woman to be crowned Mrs World, while Marelize Steyn Earle was named Mrs Classique Globe.
Mrs South Africa 2026 semi-finalists
- Aleche Landman
- Alecia Maifadi
- Andrea Raaths-Duarté
- Angelique Janse van Rensburg
- Angie Calo
- Aobakwe Sebokoane
- Brigitte van Rooyen
- Carina Smith
- Carla Mothiba
- Carmen Rodrigues
- Carolize Delport
- Chanelle Badenhorst
- Chantelle Van Zyl
- Charissa Carolus
- Charne Bell
- Dineo Ntsoane
- Eliza Askon
- Elizabeth Florence Mabee
- Esther Thomo
- Fendi Mokadi
- Florika Viljoen
- Fredine Swigelaar
- Gavaza Mongwe
- Heleen Fourie
- Janine van Wyk
- Jennifer Montgomery
- Jennifer Warren
- Jessie Jama
- Jocelyn Harding Skerritt
- Kay Knight
- Kefentse Valisi
- Kgomotso Buthelezi
- Khanyisa Phika
- Kholofelo Mdluli
- Kim Naidoo
- Lauren Jack
- Lauren-Marie Mkungela
- Lerato Sadike
- Linda Shongwe
- Lisinda Grobbelaar
- Lucinda Swart
- Maana Sehume
- Maiketso Nyamane
- Margarethe Feuth
- Mariette Vorster
- Mbali Vilakazi
- Mebelo Medupe
- Megan Jonker
- Meghan Cyster
- Moitoi Magoro
- Nadia Pereira
- Naledi Ginindza
- Naledi Mahwibila
- Naomi Nel
- Ndina Famadi
- Nompiliso Peter-Chauke
- Nomsa Makaringe
- Nonkqubela Mkizwana
- Nontobeko Hlope
- Nosisa Zincume
- Nozuko Jama
- Ntsaky Maluleke
- Ntwanano Molefakgotla
- Nwabisa Mbambo
- Otlotleng B. Mthimkhulu
- Pertunia Nkomo
- Phendukani Dlamini
- Phindile Ngwezi
- Reitumetse Moeng
- Rene Thurston
- Shomaveni Govender
- Tebogo Kgari
- Teboho Mthimkhulu
- Thandiwe Melato
- Thato Allen
- Tintswalo Ngobeni
- Tracey Elliott
- Trudie Oosthuizen
- Tshifhiwa Shikwambana
- Tsholofelo Patience Letsoalo
- Vallery Pieterse
- Zandile Maile
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