The Top 30 contestants vying for the title of Miss South Africa 2023 arrived in Johannesburg this week and have an action-packed schedule of interviews, photo shoots and workshops.
The selection panel who will be selecting the Top 12 from this impressive group of 30 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.
The Miss South Africa Top 30 finalists are (in alphabetical order):
- 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.
- Anelisa Nxele (22), from iNanda, Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, is a model and graduated with a Social Sciences degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, majoring in Economics.
- Angie Mkwanazi (23), from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, is a Bachelor of Commerce graduate from the University of Pretoria.
- Anke Rothmann (23) is a pharmacist intern who is representing the Northern Cape. She obtained her Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the North West University in Potchefstroom.
- Barbara Moagi (22), from Mahikeng in North West, is a digital content creator and second year digital marketing student at Vega School. She is passionate about using storytelling as a force for good and describes herself as versatile — ready and equal for anything. She loves a good dinner dish for breakfast, particularly “chotlho le ting” and, given the chance, she’d share her meal with Michelle Obama.
- Bryoni Govender (26) is from Johannesburg and is a qualified lawyer working as a trainee associate, whilst awaiting admission to become an attorney.
- Carmen Barnard (24) is representing Gauteng. She is a model, dog lover and has a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of South Africa.
- Hestie Jooste (25), from Pretoria in Gauteng. Picture this: a spunky financial advisor who’s always surrounded by her loving family and fun friends. She’s confident and charismatic, and never shies away from a challenge.
- 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.
- 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.
- Karla Pienaar (23) is from the beautiful Harties community in the North West. She is a Social Science and Geography teacher at Hartbeespoort High School.
- 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.
- Khanya Desi (22) From Frankfort Location, Qonce in the Eastern Cape, is a model and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in screenwriting from AFDA Johannesburg.
- 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.
- Lerato Maponya (26) is from Johannesburg, Gauteng, but was born in Soweto. She graduated in International Relations from the University of Pretoria and currently works as an HR Manager in the emergency service industry.
- 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.
- 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 degrees in Architecture from the University of the Witwatersrand.
- Malandi Marais (21), is from Citrusdal in the Western Cape. She is a BCom Law graduate and is currently a post-graduate LLB student at Stellenbosch University.
- Mbali Mbalu (25) from Mandalay, Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town is a marketing manager and consultant in the hospitality and entertainment industry, as well as an entrepreneur.
- 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.
- Michelle Kruger (28) from Mpumalanga, is a Candidate Attorney and model. She has Bachelor of Laws, and Bachelor of Arts in Law degrees from the University of Pretoria.
- Naledi Mara (23), comes from a township called Seshego in Limpopo. She holds a BA degree (criminology and psychology) from the University of Limpopo.
- Nande Mabala (25), from Zwelethemba, Worcester in Cape Town, is a model, micro-influencer, philanthropist and a triple major BA Arts graduate.
- 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.
- Ndyebo Lurayi (26) is from Midrand, Johannesburg and is the founder of Balleriia and Shot By Yebs. She is also a student pilot. Ndyebo is waiting graduation day to receive her Bachelor of Arts Degree from UNISA.
- Nicole Eksteen (28) is from the beautiful winelands in the Western Cape. She has an honours degree in fashion design and is currently the project manager for a design and marketing agency.
- Oreabetse “Rea” Molefe (23), is from Northam, Limpopo. She is an International Relations student at UNISA and in 2022 completed a Climate Change and Health Certification at Yale University.
- Rozelle Bester (27) hails from the Free State and is a single mother working as a sales representative. She is also a model and make-up artist and is studying for her Bachelor’s Degree in Education.
- Sibusisiwe Zwane (20), from Shelly Beach, Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal is a final year architecture student at UKZN and describes herself as a jill-of-all-trades.
- Thandolwenkosi Hadebe (22), who hails from Bergville in KwaZulu-Natal, is a filmmaker who graduated in film and live performance at AFDA and recently completed her honours studies in innovation.
Viewers will get to meet the 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.
