Miss SA 2025 not happening in August
The Miss South Africa Organisation has officially postponed its 2025 pageant, which was originally set to take place in August.
The decision, announced via Instagram this week, has sparked confusion and disappointment among fans and hopeful contestants, especially with no new date confirmed.
The prestigious competition, which has been a staple of South African culture since 1956, is celebrated for promoting leadership, empowerment, and social impact among women.
This year’s entry process, which ran from April 2 to April 11, was lauded for its inclusive criteria, welcoming women of all marital and parental statuses, and those with tattoos or other previously disqualifying traits.
The diverse pool of applicants included familiar faces like reality TV stars Nsuku Mabunda and Neo Sibiya, as well as actresses Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, Mulisa Mudau, and Luyanda Zuma.
However, when the usual July announcement of the top 35 semifinalists failed to materialize, questions quickly surfaced.
The delay comes at a time of notable instability within the organisation, following the exit of CEO Stephanie Weil and the resignation of creative director Werner Wessels.
Additionally, the organisation recently relinquished the Miss Supranational franchise, further fueling speculation.
In a statement, Miss South Africa addressed the leadership change, saying, “The organisers of Miss South Africa wish Stephanie Weil all the best with her new endeavours, as an agreement has been reached that Ms Weil will be leaving the organisation after many years as CEO. Ms Weil will be staying on for as long as is required to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.”
Regarding the postponement, the organisation cited strategic realignment as the reason behind the shift.
“We are aligning with international events to amplify our impact on entrepreneurship, job creation, and social cohesion,” the statement read.
While the promise of a reimagined and globally impactful pageant is intriguing, the lack of transparency around the new timeline has left many supporters feeling uneasy.
Still, the organisation has assured that the competition will continue to provide top-tier coaching, life skills development, and networking opportunities, remaining committed to shaping authentic and resilient women.