The newly crowned Miss SA 2026 will not be competing at neither of three international pageants this year, here’s why.
WHY MISS SA 2026 WILL NOT COMPETE AT INTERNATIONAL PAGEANTS?
For as long as we can remember the newly crowned Miss SA or either of the two runners up represent South Africa at the three international pageants – Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss Supranational. However, this has since changed. The Miss SA Organisation has announced their Top 24, but whoever the new Miss SA (2026) is, will not be competing at any of the three international pageants.
Former Miss SA CEO Stephanie Weil stepped down from her role on 9 July 2025. This was after six years in the role. It was later revealed that Motsepe Group of Companies would be taking over. 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.
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, why won’t the new Miss SA compete at any of the international pageants? This is because Miss SA no longer holds licences for Miss Universe, Miss Supranational and Miss World.
SOUTH AFRICA’S HISTORY AT MISS UNIVERSE, MISS WORLD AND MISS SUPRANATIONAL
South Africa has won 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.