THREE INFLUENTIAL LEADERS FROM BUSINESS, GLOBAL ADVOCACY AND SOCIAL IMPACT HELPED SELECT SOUTH AFRICA’S NEXT GENERATION OF PURPOSE-DRIVEN WOMEN LEADERS FOR THE MISS SOUTH AFRICA 2026 COMPETITION.
Johannesburg, South Africa, – 29 June 2026. The Miss South Africa Organisation proudly presented its esteemed semifinalist judging panel, comprising three accomplished leaders with diverse backgrounds. Their careers span global policy, entrepreneurship, technology, health innovation, gender equality and social transformation.
The Miss South Africa Organisation acknowledged its ongoing commitment to empower women nationwide. Miss SA embodies both beauty and leadership, with a focus on impact and social transformation. As it transitions into a leadership pipeline that drives impact on a large scale, centred on purpose, impact and nation-building, the composition of the semifinalist judging panel reflected the values defining the Miss South Africa Organisation’s New Era.
The judges played a crucial role in evaluating this year’s semifinalists during interviews held on Saturday, 27 June 2026, ensuring that Top 19 finalists will advance to the next stage of the Miss South Africa 2026 competition. Drawing on their collective expertise, they identified young women who demonstrated the leadership potential, vision and commitment required to create meaningful change in South Africa and across the African continent.
This panel embodied the bold leadership that reflected the New Era of Miss South Africa.
Miss South Africa finalists were judged on far more than just beauty, public speaking and presentation. Importantly, the competition evaluated leadership potential, strategic thinking, social impact, authenticity, resilience and the ability to inspire and mobilise communities.
This year’s judging panel boasted expertise from international diplomacy, entrepreneurship, business leadership, technology, healthcare, innovation and transformation.
Shudufhadzo Musida, Miss South Africa 2020, a global strategist, mental health advocate and respected global voice. She works at the intersection of policy, business and social impact, currently serving as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Global Champion for Women and Girls. Her role involves engaging with heads of state, foreign ministers and global institutions across over 20 countries to advocate for women and girls’ advancement.
Musida holds degrees in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, International Relations and a STEM-designated Master of Public Administration in International Finance and Economic Policy from Columbia University. She uses her advisory firm, Masana Group, and her work with international organisations and corporate boards to shape conversations around leadership, economic inclusion and sustainable development. Her diverse experience in diplomacy, public policy and global advocacy provided a unique perspective to the Miss South Africa 2026 semifinal judging process.
Dr Aisha R. Pandor, an entrepreneur, investor, technology innovator as well as Africa’s leading tech entrepreneurs. As the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pandora Health, an AI-driven health platform, she focuses on improving wellness and longevity through personalised healthcare solutions.
Dr Pandor, a PhD holder in Human Genetics from the University of Cape Town, seamlessly blends scientific expertise with entrepreneurial leadership. Her innovative contributions and technological advancements have earned her recognition from prestigious organisations like the World Economic Forum and Forbes Africa. Her track record of building technology-driven businesses that create tangible social and economic impact aligns perfectly with the entrepreneurial leadership the Miss South Africa Organisation aims to nurture through the Miss South Africa New Era.
Colleen Larsen, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Business Engage, is a recognised advocate for inclusive leadership, workplace mainstreaming and gender equality. Over two decades, she has collaborated with corporate leaders, policymakers and international organisations to champion diversity, inclusion and women’s leadership across Africa.
Larsen has partnered with over 115 organisations and collaborated with renowned entities such as UN Women, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). As a respected strategist, author and thought leader, she has played a pivotal role in positioning gender mainstreaming as a business imperative that strengthens organisations, fosters innovation and drives sustainable growth.
Her extensive experience in governance, inclusive leadership and organisational transformation provided invaluable insights into identifying finalists with the potential to become influential leaders capable of driving meaningful societal change.
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF LEADERSHIP
The judging panel, which comprised of a diverse range of expertise, was instrumental in identifying South Africa’s next generation of impactful leaders through the Miss South Africa platform. Their collective experience spans global diplomacy, entrepreneurship, technology, healthcare innovation, corporate leadership, governance and social development.
Through the Miss South Africa New Era and the Empower Youth Africa framework, finalists are encouraged to utilise their skills, expertise and platforms to address pressing societal challenges and contribute to sustainable development across the continent.
The selection of the Top 24 finalists marked the beginning of an intensive leadership journey towards the appointment and crowning of Miss South Africa 2026. Beyond the crowning ceremony, the winner, runner-up and finalists become Ambassadors for Empower Youth Africa, and their mandate is to actively implement Empower Youth Africa’s missions on a larger scale. This execution will be measured through impact reports. This is where the beauty pageant becomes a pipeline of women leaders with a mandate.
While the Top 19 will be announced soon, the public is encouraged to continue voting for their favorite contestant via the Miss South Africa App.
ABOUT MISS SOUTH AFRICA
Miss South Africa serves as a leadership platform dedicated to identifying, developing and amplifying young women committed to creating meaningful impact in South Africa and across the African continent. By embracing the Miss South Africa New Era, the organisation has evolved from a traditional beauty competition format that extends into a leadership platform that drives civic engagement, entrepreneurship and social innovation.
Miss South Africa aims to empower young women by amplifying their voices, skills and influence to tackle societal challenges, inspire change and contribute to nation-building. Finalists embark on a structured leadership development journey encompassing mentorship, professional development, advocacy training and community engagement initiatives. These programmes equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in leadership roles within society.
ABOUT EMPOWER YOUTH AFRICA (EYA)
EYA, the official social impact framework of the Miss South Africa Organisation, guides and evaluates the impact initiatives of finalists and titleholders. It tackles pressing challenges facing young people across South Africa and the African continent.
The framework is built on five strategic pillars:
- Youth Unemployment
- Education
- Entrepreneurship and Skills Development
- Health and Wellness
- Civic Engagement and Pan-African Collaboration
Through EYA, Miss South Africa finalists and titleholders develop sustainable, measurable initiatives that create meaningful social and economic impact. This framework serves as a platform for leadership development, empowering participants to transform their ideas into action and contribute to long-term community development and African progress.
For media requests, email nhlanhla@misssa.co.za
For more information, visit www.misssa.co.za and follow @Official_MissSA across social media platforms.
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