Miss South Africa 2022
The new Miss South Africa is the gorgeous Ndavi Nokeri. The 23-year-old won the prestigious Miss South Africa 2022 title at a spectacular event held at Sun International’s flagship venue, the SunBet Arena at Time Square, Pretoria, on August 13th.
Miss South Africa 2021 Lalela Mswane, who is also Miss Supranational 2022, placed the uBuhle bethingo lenkosazana (the beauty of the rainbow) crown on her successor’s head.
Ayanda Thabethe, 22, from Maritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, secured second place, followed by Lebogang Mahlangu, 26, from Soshanguve, Pretoria.
Ndavi is expected to represent South Africa in Miss Universe 2022. It hasn´t yet been decided who will represent the rainbow nation in the next editions of Miss World and Miss Supranational.
The Limpopo-born beauty holds a BCom degree in Investment Management from the University of Pretoria and is currently working for an asset management firm.
It was her final answer from the public that convinced the judges that she is worthy of the crown.
She was asked: “As a South African, what is the most important thing to keep our unity?”
Nokeri responded that a person is not able to know where they are going without knowing where they are from. "As Miss South Africa, I would implore us to stand together and embrace every single culture, race gender, and sexuality…,” she said.
Nokeri had also impressed the crowd with how she handled her initial question from Professor Thuli Madonsela.
"How would you use your title as a Miss South Africa to lead the nation, embrace the constitution and heal the deficiency of the past and create a society that is based on social justice?" asked the former Public Protector.
“It is our responsibility to ensure we create a sustainable, innovative and most importantly inclusive South Africa.
Nokeri was also voted the People’s Choice by the public.
Hosted by radio and TV presenter Anele Mdoda, this year’s event saw the all-female judging line-up comprising reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu; Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi; Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss; award-winning presenter Devi Sankaree Govender; Miss South Africa 1990 Suzette van der Merwe, radio host Thando Thabethe; and former South African Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela.
Mzansi’s finest Boity, Elaine, Heavy K, Lloyiso, Makhadzi, Nadia Nakai, Ndoni and Rouge performed during the show.
In her acceptance speech, Nokeri said: “For a girl from Gabaza to be seen, embraced, and chosen to represent her country is a groundbreaking moment. A moment that reaffirms that our dreams are valid, regardless of where we come from. I am grateful for the women who have gone before me and broke the glass ceiling so I could stand here today empowered, fulfilled, and ready to proudly raise the South African flag high everywhere I go and to shine the light of hope to all South Africans”.
Miss Supranational and Miss Universe together in Pretoria, where the new Miss South Africa was crowned.
Nokeri is taking home prizes worth more than R3-million, including R1-million in cash, as well as the use of a serviced apartment at the lavish Ellipse Waterfall developed by Tricolt and Attacq for the year of her reign.
She will also get to drive a Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan during her reign.
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GB comment: We expect to see South Africa, the least to say, in the Top 3 of Miss Universe once again. She has the looks, the brain, and the charisma. Congratulations!!