Former South African Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, will join reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu of India on this year’s Miss South Africa judging panel.
The all-female judging line-up comprises of some of the country’s most respected and influential personalities including former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi (2019) and Miss World Rolene Strauss (2014) as well as award-winning investigative journalist Devi Sankaree Govender, businesswoman and Miss South Africa 1990 Suzette van der Merwe and actor and TV personality Thando Thabethe.
The Miss South Africa pageant, which takes place at Sun International’s flagship venue, the SunBet Arena at Time Square, Pretoria, promises to be a spectacular and entertainment-packed show and takes place during Women’s Month. Miss South Africa 2022 will be broadcast live on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) and Mnet (DStv Channel 101) on Saturday, August 13 from 18h30 and streamed for an international audience on the Miss South Africa app.
SEE BELOW JUDGES
Thulisile “Thuli” Madonsela is a South African advocate and professor of law who has held a chair in social justice at Stellenbosch University since January 2018. She served as the Public Protector of South Africa from 2009 to 2016. In 1996, she helped draft the final constitution of South Africa promulgated by then President Nelson Mandela.
Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned Miss Universe last December, taking the crown back to India for the first time in 20 years. She draws her inspiration from her mother who broke generations of patriarchy to become a successful gynaecologist. Deeply conscious of the privilege her mother’s struggles have gifted her, Sandhu is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, particularly their constitutional rights to education, careers and their freedom of choice. She is an actor with two Punjabi films slated for release this year.
Zozibini Tunzi was the third Miss South Africa to be crowned Miss Universe in 2019. Tunzi – who was one of the judges in 2020 – makes her acting debut in The Woman King which is scheduled for release later this year. The American historical epic tells the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey (in present-day Benin) in the 1800s and also stars Viola Davis and John Boyega.
Rolene Strauss was the third South African to wear the Miss World crown. She is currently chairperson of the non-profit organisation The Strauss Foundation. Strauss – who is a qualified medical doctor – received her master’s degree in Philosophy and Management Coaching (Cum Laude) at the University of Stellenbosch Business School this year, released her new book Rediscover Your Self Confidence and is a successful transformational life coach.
Devi Sankaree Govender is an award-winning investigative television journalist who has spent the past 29 years in the media after starting out on radio before moving to print and television. Govender, an MBA graduate, worked for Carte Blanche for 18 years and gained a reputation for being fearless in highlighting corruption and crime. She hosts The Devi Show which airs on eTV and eNCA.
After her reign as Miss South Africa in 1990, Suzette van der Merwe started a successful business career including a role managing Cell C’s women sponsorship properties which included a five-year headline sponsorship of Miss South Africa from 2014 to 2019.
Thando Thabethe is an actress and radio personality. She is currently host of 94.7 Drive with Thando and has played leading lady in some of South Africa’s biggest television productions including Housekeepers, How To Ruin Christmas and Reyka. She is also the founder of Thabootys Underwear and Shapewear and a Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 graduate. Thabethe was also one of the judges who chose the Top 10 this year.
DID YOU KNOW?
Miss South Africa 2022 will take home prizes and sponsorships worth more than R3 million. The Top 10 competing for the crown is: Anarzade Omar, Ayanda Thabethe, Itumeleng Parage, Keaoleboga Nkashe, Lebogang Mahlangu, Luvé Meyer, Luyanda Zuma, Ndavi Nokeri, Pearl Ntshehi and Tamsyn Jack.
Miss South Africa is presented by Weil Entertainment in association with M-Net, Mzansi Magic and Sun International.
Go to:
- https://www.misssa.co.za
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissSouthAfricaOfficial
- Twitter: @Official_MissSA
- Instagram: @official_misssa
- Tik-Tok: @official_misssa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MissSouthAfricaOfficial
- Download the Miss South Africa App from the Apple App Store or Google Play store.
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