News24 | PHOTOS | Eyeing the crown: Meet Miss World SA’s top 10 finalists

Meet Miss World SA's top 10 finalists. (Screengrab)

Meet Miss World SA’s top 10 finalists. (Screengrab)

  • Carol Bouwer’s Miss World South Africa Organisation has announced the top 10 finalists vying to take over the crown from Claude Mashego.
  • Ranging from a tech developer to a clinical audiologist, they showcase a broad spectrum of professions and passions.
  • The pageant’s second staging is scheduled for 5 October, while the Miss World Organisation has yet to announce the details surrounding this year’s pageant. 

After receiving entries from more than 350 hopefuls nationwide, Miss World South Africa organisers have announced the top 10 finalists vying to take over the crown from Mpumalanga-born titleholder and medical doctor Claude Mashego.

Mashego was crowned Miss World South Africa’s inaugural winner at a glittering ceremony in Pretoria in October last year and represented the country at Miss World in March. She earned a place in the top 40 contestants, but Czech Republic’s Krystyna Pyszková took home the title of Miss World 2023.

Carol Bouwer, Miss World South Africa license holder and organisation president, said they are looking for someone who can “promote humanitarian objectives, global awareness and activism”.

“The selection of Miss World South Africa will be focused on young women who are steeped in nation-building, and we look forward to 5 October when our wonderful inaugural queen, Claude, will crown the successor,” Bouwer added.

See the finalists here:

Nande Mabala (26): A model and social media entrepreneur from Cape Town who believes the most successful people possess five soft skills – courage, communication skills, discipline, leadership and resilience.

Nande Mabala

Nande Mabala (Supplied)

Lynique Odenaal (22): A music therapist from Wonderboom, Pretoria, who is committed to addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by vulnerable children by empowering and uplifting them.

Lynique Odenaal

Lynique Odenaal. (Supplied)

Tshiamo Setlhare (26): An occupational therapist from Mahikeng who believes that the Miss World platform could help her create awareness about various mental health conditions and reduce the stigma and marginalisation of people with mental illnesses.

Tshiamo Setlhare

Tshiamo Setlhare (Supplied)

Neo Nkhumane (22): A communications lecturer from Gauteng at the North West University who aims to address the country’s pressing social issues while advancing her studies.

Neo Nkhumane

Neo Nkhumane (Supplied)

Ximiyeto Makhubele (21): A tech developer from Giyani, Limpopo, who wants to use technology to provide service delivery solutions for people.

Ximiyeto Makhubele

Ximiyeto Makhubele (Supplied)

Romanda Hombir (25): A clinical audiologist from Gauteng who would like to influence the drafting of policies and legislation on the accessibility of quality healthcare for all.

Romanda Hombir

Romanda Hombir (Supplied)

Zoalize Janse van Rensburg (18): A digital marketing executive at Scuderia, Ferrari South Africa, from Pretoria, who believes that every person can contribute to the greater good of the world.

Zoalize Janse van Rensburg

Zoalize Janse van Rensburg (Supplied)

Amber Marais (22): A patient, friendly, passionate volunteer and hockey coach from Bloemfontein who enjoys seeing others succeed.

Amber Marais

Amber Marais. (Supplied)

Thembelihle Mnguni (25): An electrical engineering student from KZN who aspires to empower communities through renewable and sustainable energy.

Thembelihle Mnguni

Thembelihle Mnguni (Supplied)

Jesmika Singh (25): A University of Cape Town master’s student, also from KZN, whose research on breast cancer biotechnology and immunotherapy has earned her awards and accolades. She hopes to become a scientist of international repute and discover a cure for breast cancer.

Jesmika Singh

Jesmika Singh. (Supplied)

“The finalists will soon attend boot camp sessions on various pageant demands such as deportment, charm, poise, general knowledge and charitable involvement, including how they can be ambassadors of the Beauty with a Purpose ethos of the Miss World Organisation,” Bouwer continued.

The Miss World Organisation has yet to announce where this year’s pageant will be held.

READ MORE | Pageant politics, beauty and bias: Inside the Botha-Bouwer Miss World SA 2023 feud