We’re only days away from the Miss South Africa 2023 finale and the hype has us all hopped up!
Over the course of the past five weeks, we’ve watched as the phenomenal women in line for the crown pull out all the stops to secure the prestigious title of Miss South Africa 2023 on SABC3’s Crown Chasers.
11 women from across the country secured their spot in the Miss SA finals this year:
Ané Oosthuysen (25), Anke Rothmann (23), Bryoni Govender (26), Homba Mazaleni (23), Jordan van der Vyver (27), Keaoleboga Nkashe (27), Lebohang Raputsoe (24), Lungo Katete (26), Melissa Nayimuli (27), Nande Mabala (26) and Natasha Joubert (26).
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On 7 Monday August, finalists gathered for the glamorous reveal of the brand new crown for Miss South Africa.
An Instagram post by the Miss SA organisation reads as follows:
“Introducing Mowana! Our new Miss South Africa will be crowned in a brand new coronet dubbed Mowana, the ‘Tree of Life’.”
The beautiful bejewelled crown is the brainchild of Ursula Pule, founder of Nungu Diamonds.
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The post continues:
“As she becomes a role model for young people and a South African ambassador she will be carrying the weight of our heritage and of one of the most recognisable symbols of our country a tree that signifies life.”
Ursula says:
“My inspiration came from a safari we took in Musina in 2019; from the magnificent baobab tree, also known as the Tree of Life.”
“The baobab is revered just as women, who are cherished as sources of life and positivity. Both are symbols of strength and resilience. The African sunrise was used as a metaphor to symbolise the rise of Miss South Africa at the start of her reign, signifying the beginning of her new life as our queen,” shares Miss SA.
Along with the diamond crown reveal came the announcement of the pageant’s selection panel for the grand finale on Sunday.
Leandie du Randt, Devi Sankaree Govender, R’bonney Nola, Thuso Mbedu and our very own April cover star, Jo-Ann Strauss will be on the selection panel for the crowned winner.
In a post announcing her return to Miss SA, Jo-Ann writes:
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“A full circle moment indeed for me today as I join the judging panel for Miss South Africa 2023. I am honoured to serve with iconic women like Devi Govender, R’Bonney Nola, Leandie Du Randt and Thuso Mbedu as we search for the new ambassador for the organisation which has empowered so many women and propelled their careers.”
“The 19 year old me who won 23 years ago is proud of how far she’s come and this Sunday, we’re excited to welcome a new sister into the most supportive sisterhood of Miss SA”
The grand finale of the long-running pageant will broadcast live on SABC3 from Sun International’s SunBet Arena at Time Square in Pretoria on Sunday, August 13 at 16:00.
ALSO SEE:
Miss SA grand finale to air on SABC for first time in 23 years
Feature Image: Instagram / @jo_annstrauss
