AS IT HAPPENED | Miss South Africa 2023 pageant | Life

Newly crowned Miss South Africa Natasha Joubert's 'ultimate goal is to inspire the younger generation, demonstrating that second chances do exist and, with determination and support, anyone can rise above their circumstances'.

Miss South Africa 2023 is Natasha Joubert.

The 26-year-old 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. 

"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 woman, and simultaneously let 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!", Natasha said after making the Top 12.

Ndavi Nokeri takes her final walk as Miss South Africa.

"One year later I am proud to have achieved much of what I had set out to do on my reign."

"My dearest South Africa thank you for opening your arms to me and embracing me."

The Top 2 are:

Bryoni

Natasha

Who will take the top 2 spots?!

The final question the contestants has to answer submitted by a viewer:

What aspects of South African culture and heritage do you believe should be highlighted more on the global stage?

Did you know that the last time the pageant aired on SABC was in 1999?

22-year-old investment consultant, Heather Hamilton, was crowned Miss South Africa at the Sun City Superbowl.

The Top 3 are:

Bryoni

Nande

Natasha

The finalists gave thought-provoking answers. This is going to be a tough one! Good luck to the judges. 

On Friday, we spoke to L'Oréal Paris Sub-Saharan Ambassador and Miss SA judge Thuso Mbedu.

She shared that her strategy for judging the pageant would be to engage with the more experienced judges to draw from their expertise instead of being led by her beauty ideals and unconscious biases.  

Reigning Miss South Africa Ndavi Nokeri is on stage in her stunning Miss Universe gown designed by Juan William Aria. 

Ndavi's advice to the new Miss South Africa is, "The crown does not define you and the woman that you are, you define this crown."

Another new feature this year is the new crown, dubbed Mowana, the 'Tree of Life'.It is the brainchild of Nungu Diamonds creative director and co-founder Ursula Pule.

Pule said her inspiration for the new crown came from a 2019 safari in Musina, Limpopo

The Top 5 finalists are:

Homba Mazaleni (23) from the Eastern Cape

Nande Mabala (25) from the Western Cape

Natasha Joubert (25) from Gauteng

Bryoni Govender (26) from Gauteng

Melissa Nayimuli (27) from the Eastern Cape

Top 7 finalist Natasha Joubert represented South Africa at Miss Universe in 2021.

Despite not securing a spot in the top 21, Natasha made the country proud and said in an Instagram post: "I'm proud of the work we have done, the way we competed and for always staying true to myself." 

Jimmy Nevis performs as the top 7 take to the stage in swimwear by Shelli and Tracy B.

Bryoni Govender has been announced as the Motherkind fitness brand ambassador.

While Lungo Katete was voted fan favourite Crown Chaser.

Another look at Bonang's stunning dress!

This year's pageant wasn't drama free. Top 12 finalist Levern José withdrew from the competition after she was accused of bullying by schoolmates on social media.

See the top 7 in their Willet Designs Couture and heels by Steve Madden SA. 

If you're wondering why there are only 7 finalists this year they were narrowed down through Miss South Africa's five-part reality series, Crown Chasers, aired on SABC3.

In each episode, the top 11 finalists were placed in real-life scenarios, which included several challenges based on the pageant's four pillars – duty, championship, empowerment and beauty. At the end of every episode, a panel comprising Matheba, Leandie du Randt and a weekly celebrity guest judge chose a challenge winner and voted off one of the contestants.

The show was hosted by former Miss South Africa and Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi.

The pageant has made a number of changes to be more inclusive.

For the first time this year, married women and mothers were allowed to enter. Van der Vyver is the only remaining contestant who is married.

The seven finalists take to the stage to introduce themselves. 

They are: Anke Rothmann (23) from the Northern Cape; Bryoni Govender (26) from Gauteng; Homba Mazaleni (23) from the Eastern Cape; Jordan van der Vyver (27) from the Western Cape; Melissa Nayimuli (27) from the Eastern Cape; Nande Mabala (25) from the Western Cape and Natasha Joubert (25) from Gauteng.

The pageant, which "promises to be a spectacular, entertainment-packed show", kicked off with a glitzy red-carpet opening.

Guests spotted on red carpet include former Miss SA Cindy Nel and her daughter, Caster Semenya and her wife, designer Gert-Johan Coetzee, former Miss SA's Tamaryn Green, Thato Mosehle, reigning Miss SA Ndavi Nokeri, and the all-women judging panel Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel, Leandie du Randt, Devi Sankaree Govender, Jo-Ann Strauss and L'Oréal Paris brand ambassador and actor Thuso Mbedu.