The Miss SA Organisation has just unveiled their Top 19 contestants, who will compete for the pretigious Miss SA title. However, regardless of who is crowned Miss SA 2026, she will not be competing at Miss World, Miss Universe or Miss Supranational.
WHY MISS SA 2026 WILL NOT COMPETE AT INTERNATIONAL PAGEANTS?
The Miss SA pageant has reached a new era, which has come with significant changes. One of the most shocking changes from previous years is that the new Miss SA 2026 will not be competing at any of the three major international pageants – Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss Supranational.
Why? Well Miss SA has firstly changed ownership. Former CEO Stephanie Weil stepped down from her role on 9 July 2025, after six years. It was later revealed that Motsepe Group of Companies would be taking over over the pageant. In October 2025, Qhawekazi Mazaleni was crowned Miss SA but she did not compete at any of the international pageants and instead focused on South Africa during her reign.
This was due to the fact that Miss SA no longer holds licences for Miss Universe, Miss Supranational and Miss World. Therefore, the newly crowned Miss SA will not compete at any of the three major international pageants. Take a look at the Top 19 finalists here.
Melissa Nayimuli represented South Africa at Miss Universe. Melissa competed for her spot to compete at Miss Universe after African Beauty International acquired the license, succeeding the previous Miss South Africa pageant system. So, this how international pageants work going forward.
SOUTH AFRICA’S HISTORY AT MISS UNIVERSE, MISS WORLD AND MISS SUPRANATIONAL
South Africa has such a rich history in international pageants. We’ve brought home the Miss Universe title three times. Margaret Gardiner was the first South African woman to be crowned Miss Universe. Followed by Demi-Leigh Tebow in 2017. South Africa’s beloved Zozibini Tunzi won the title in 2019. She became the longest-reigning Miss Universe, holding the title for a total of 467 days from December 2019 to May 2021. This was due to the pageant being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2018, Tamaryn Green was placed first runner-up. In 2021, Lalela Mswane was crowned second runner-up.
South Africa won the Miss World title three times – Penelope Coelen (1958), Anneline Kriel (1974), and Rolene Strauss (2014) . Tatum Keshwar (2009) was the second runner-up.
South Africa’s Lalela Mswane was crowned Miss Supranational in 2022, making history as the first South African and first Black woman to hold the title. Medical doctor Thato Mosehle was crowned second runner-up in 2021.