A powerful day of learning, reflection and personal development equips the Top 19 for the journey ahead
The Miss South Africa 2026 Top 19 spent an inspiring and transformative day immersed in a series of workshops designed to challenge, equip and empower them as they continue their journey towards the crown.
More than just a competition, Miss South Africa is a platform for leadership development, personal growth and meaningful impact. Workshop Day brought these values to life, giving the contestants an opportunity to engage with experts, ask important questions and gain practical tools that will support them throughout the competition and beyond.
The day began with an insightful Empower Youth Africa (EYA) Workshop led by Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Patron and Chairperson of the Miss South Africa Organisation. The session unpacked the importance of purposeful leadership and the role each contestant can play in creating sustainable and measurable impact within their communities, South Africa and across the African continent.
As the organisation’s flagship social impact platform, Empower Youth Africa encourages finalists to turn their ideas and passions into measurable action, with a focus on addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing young people across South Africa and the continent.
The Top 19 then took part in an important Wellness Workshop with Dr Angoma, a psychologist whose areas of focus include depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, performance, grief, divorce, addiction and stress. The session created space for meaningful conversations around mental wellness, self-awareness and the importance of maintaining emotional wellbeing while navigating the pressures and opportunities that come with being a public figure.
The day also included a dynamic Media Training Workshop by Joanne Joseph, an award-winning television and radio broadcaster, author, podcaster and media, drawing on her extensive experience in journalism and media strategy. Joanne challenged the finalists to think beyond simply answering questions and to recognise every media interaction as an opportunity to communicate their values, purpose and perspective with clarity and authenticity.
The programme continued with an engaging Public Speaking Workshop and Q&A led by Nozipho Tshabalala, best-selling author and CEO of The Conversation Strategists, with extensive experience in media, leadership and facilitating complex conversations. Drawing on her experience in facilitating high-stakes conversations, Nozipho challenged the finalists to think strategically about how they communicate, encouraging them to move beyond simply speaking confidently to understanding the power of their message, audience and influence.
The day provided the Top 19 with an opportunity to reflect on the responsibility that comes with leadership and public influence, while gaining practical skills that will support them as they navigate interviews, public appearances, advocacy and engagement with diverse audiences.
For the Top 19, Workshop Day was a powerful reminder that the Miss South Africa journey is about far more than the crowning day. It is about developing women who are prepared to lead, communicate, inspire and create meaningful change.
As they continue through the competition, the contestants will build on the lessons, conversations and insights gained during Workshop Day, taking another important step towards becoming confident, purposeful leaders equipped to use their platforms with impact.
ABOUT MISS SOUTH AFRICA
Miss South Africa is a leadership platform dedicated to identifying, developing and amplifying young women committed to creating meaningful impact in South Africa and across the African continent. Through mentorship, professional development, advocacy training and community engagement, finalists are equipped with the skills and confidence to lead, influence and contribute to positive change.
ABOUT EMPOWER YOUTH AFRICA (EYA)
Empower Youth Africa (EYA) is the official social impact framework of the Miss South Africa Organisation. It supports finalists and titleholders in developing sustainable and measurable initiatives that address challenges facing young people across South Africa and the continent.
The framework focuses on five key pillars:
- Youth Unemployment
- Education
- Entrepreneurship and Skills Development
- Health and Wellness
- Civic Engagement and Pan-African Collaboration
For media enquiries, please contact nhlanhla@misssa.co.za.
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