After being crowned as Miss South Africa 2023, Natasha Joubert is the name on everyone’s lips.
Thousands of South Africans have taken to social media to express congratulations and pride in Joubert for earning the diamond crown and representing the country as Miss SA 2023.
However, others have expressed concern over Joubert participating in international pageants representing SA.
The concern stems from Joubert’s victory when she came inches away from the crown in Miss South Africa 2020. After securing her spot as runner-up to former Miss SA Shudu Musida, Joubert went on to participate in Miss Universe in 2021 in her capacity as runner-up.
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Joubert did not place in the Top 21 for Miss Universe. She determinedly picked her journey with Miss South Africa back up again this year as she worked her way back up to earning the crown.
This led to pageant enthusiasts posing the question whether Natasha re-entering Miss Universe for a second-time would be fair. According to a report by IOL, although Joubert was permitted to re-enter Miss SA, rules differ for the international pageant.
According to social media speculation Joubert will only be permitted to attend the Miss Supranational pageant, which takes place in 2024.
@pageantrysouthafrica This is such an admirable thing to do, love her🥺❤️ #natashajoubert #misssouthafrica #misssa2023 #misssa #fypシ #fyp ♬ original sound – Pageantry South Africa
However, Natasha shows no interest in representing South Africa internationally right now. In an interview with eNCA, Joubert is asked what her next step will be, to which she promptly replied:
“The plan of action is to be Miss South Africa, that’s it. I won’t be going internationally at all this year. I went to Miss Universe back in 2021, I represented our country and now I’m giving the opportunity for another lady to do that for us.”
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Instead, runner-up to the Miss South Africa crown for 2023, Bryoni Govender, will go on to represent South Africa at Miss Universe in El Salvador in November this year. The international pageant revealed the news the day after Govender secured her title as runner-up.
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Feature Image:Instagram / @natasha_joubert
