The top 30 contestants vying for the title of Miss South Africa 2024 are in Johannesburg and have an action-packed schedule of interviews, photo shoots and workshops ahead of them.
The selection panel who will be selecting those who continue their Miss South Africa journey from this impressive group of 30 are actress, model and media personality, Lerato Kganyago; actress, presenter, voice artist, model, author and entrepreneur, Leandie du Randt, who also served as a judge last year, and CEO of the Miss South Africa Organisation, Stephanie Weil.
The Miss South Africa 2024 Top 30 finalists are (in alphabetical order):
Andrea Morrison (25) is from Durban, KZN. She has a Bachelor of Education and an honours degree from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and is a high school English teacher. She says she can be very assertive when it comes to things she is passionate about. Her advocacy is bringing about equality amongst schools in South Africa.
Chidimma Adetshina (23) from Pimville in Soweto, Gauteng, is a model, a netball player, and a bachelor of law student at Varsity College. She is passionate about sports and advocating for change in violence against women and children and gender-based violence. She describes herself as ambitious, confident and optimistic. Her motto is “Dreams are valid when actions are taken.”
Danae Kukard (24) comes from East London, Eastern Cape, but has lived in Franschhoek in the Western Cape for the past six years. She is a teacher and studied at Stellenbosch University. She considers herself to be strong-willed, hardworking, a go-getter, and someone who thrives off connection. She is passionate about empowering the youth through mentorship, education, culture and sport.
Demoivre (Nolo Dee) Bjalane (26) comes from Monsterlus in Limpopo and is a media practitioner, model and MC. She specialises in brand strategy for individuals and organisations and is the founder of the non-profit Foundation. She has been nominated for the prestigious South African Heroes Award and the Emerge Africa Award. She wants to inspire others with her innovative approach and dedication to creating positive change.
Denechia Lowings (24), from Centurion in Gauteng, describes herself as hardworking and always aiming for higher outcomes; a go-getter and an independent woman who really wants to help those who have the desire to become more and truly make a change in their lives even if it seems impossible. She wants to inspire and share hope.
Felicia Bajomo (27) hails from Shayandima, Thohoyandou in Limpopo She has a background in health education and holds a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Cape Town, a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health from the University of Pretoria and is currently a Master’s in Public Health candidate at the University of North Carolina. She describes herself as outgoing, resilient and a visionary and encourages young girls and women to not be afraid to break barriers.
Janeke van Tonder (23) grew up on a farm in the Free State and currently lives in Erasmus Park in Tshwane. She has an honours degree in consumer sciences and works in Johannesburg for a media monitoring company. She describes herself as fun-loving and optimistic and says her best qualities are integrity, practising altruism and being accountable. She would like to meet the Minister of Agriculture, Thoko Didiza, to discuss the impact of smallholder farms on the South African economy.
Johaneske Pelzer (23) is from Potchefstroom in the North West. She is a photographer and has an Honours Degree in Consumer Science in Fashion Retail Management from the North West University. She describes herself as a driven, creative and hardworking individual who finds joy in learning and connecting with others. She values simplicity, positivity and productivity and strives to make a meaningful impact in South Africa.
Kayla Wagg (22) is a business owner and digital marketing student who comes from Brakpan, Gauteng. She describes herself as determined, resilient and kind. She is married to her best friend, Darren Wagg, and together they have two dogs, Emma and Ollie. She says she is a family person who will do anything for the people she loves.
Kaylan Zeelie (21) is originally from Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, and is proudly representing the province. She now lives in Bloemfontein in the Free State, pursuing an LLB at the University of the Free State. She prioritises kindness, empathy and active listening, guided by determination and loyalty. She says that witnessing others thrive brings her immense joy.
Kebalepile Ramafoko (25) is from Emalahleni, Mpumalanga. She has a BA in psychology and languages and is currently pursuing her honours degree. She is also a skills development facilitator and is passionate about sports and youth empowerment. She strives to create equal opportunities for all, believing that sports can transform lives and build stronger communities. She describes herself as a determined, welcoming and fun-loving individual who enjoys making people laugh and showing up for others.
Kirsten Khan (26), from Roodepoort, Gauteng, is a model and has completed her studies for a diploma in architectural draughting from Damelin College. She describes herself as a compassionate, open-minded, and resilient person who handles herself and others with grace. She is passionate about mental health and believes youth should be given the opportunity to be seen, heard and pursue their dreams.
Layla Zoubair (29) is from Kempton Park in Gauteng and is an outgoing and outspoken individual who thrives on challenges and exploring. She says she constantly seeks to push her boundaries and discover new things, driven by her inquisitive nature. Her curiosity fuels her passion for learning and growth, making every day an opportunity for new experiences and personal development. Whether trying new activities or engaging in meaningful conversations, she embraces life’s adventures wholeheartedly.
Lebohang Khoza (27) comes from Maritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, and is an educator of the performing arts. She is a choreographer and actor and has a BA degree in Performing Arts from the University of KwaZulu Natal. She is passionate and open-minded and would love to elevate the space of education by introducing the element of performing arts therapy.
Lethaukuthula Maseko (24), aka the “Diamond From Daveyton”, describes herself as a beacon of hope and resilience. Raised in Daveyton, Gauteng, she says she has transformed the pressures of her surroundings into a brilliant strength and that her story is a testament to the power of self-authorship; proving that one’s circumstances do not dictate their destiny. She says she shines bright, illuminating a path for others to forge their own paths and sparkle in their own unique way.
Madri van Jaarsveld (27), who lives in Murrayfield in Pretoria but grew up in Boksburg, is a newly married businesswoman and has an accounting sciences degree from the University of Pretoria. She describes herself as hard-working, loyal and resilient. She would love to continue her late mother’s legacy of servitude to the community of diverse abilities.
Mia le Roux (28) was raised in Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape and lives in Rosebank in Cape Town. She is a marketing manager, model and part-time B Com Marketing student. She was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one and says her community rallied behind her to give her the gift of hearing; inspiring her desire to make a positive impact and break barriers. She describes herself as resilient, dedicated, graceful and kind.
Naledi Matlakala (24), from Midrand in Gauteng, is a BCom law student with a BA (psychology and criminology) from the University of Pretoria. She describes herself as a highly spirited soul with a mission of “Information IS Transformation” and is committed to ensuring that this information (plus resources) is activated within South African communities through an accessible, inclusive and relevant approach.
Nobuhle Langa (26), from Emalahleni in Mpumalanga, is an audit trainee aiming to register as a chartered accountant. She is the founder of the Langelihle Youth Foundation, has a bachelor of accounting science from Wits University and a postgraduate diploma in accountancy from IAS (Institute of Accounting Science). She describes herself as resilient, graceful, fearless and she would love to meet Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, to discuss ways for citizens to give back to society.
Nokulunga Zungu (29), from Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, holds a B Com business degree and is currently doing her honours degree at the University of South Africa. She describes herself as a child of God and gracious with a loving spirit. She would love to encourage the youth to prioritise education and wants the Department of Arts and Culture to invest in South African creatives.
(23) is representing Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. She says she dreams big, works hard and rests very little. She is currently working as a Montessori preschool teacher. Her life’s goal is not only to live, but to live boldly, giving hope to others and helping where she can. She recently launched her first solo single Hou Bene Hou and aims to release her next song later this year.
Nompumelelo Maduna (29), from Rockville in Soweto, is a marketer by profession, pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Johannesburg. She is also a saxophonist in the making. She describes herself as a soul that is generous, goal driven, hardworking and kind. “One day I want to perform in an orchestra in honour of my father who loved music,” she says. Maduna was in the Miss South Africa Top 3 in 2019.
Onalenna Constantin (26), from Potchefstroom in North West, has many talents. She is a model, a law student, entrepreneur and content creator. She wants to inspire through her story that epitomises resilience and grace. She describes herself as an unwavering woman. She would love to meet policymakers regarding the dire need for social workers in every school to ensure social justice for women and children.
Ontshiametse Tlhopane is a 23-year-old aspiring model from Protea Glen, Soweto. She has qualifications in criminology inspired by her curiosity about why crime is committed. She is also the founder of #SafeHere, an organisation she plans to use to positively impact the lives of children. Friendly, kind and empathetic are words used to describe her character. She believes that everyone deserves opportunities and resources to pursue greatness.
Palesa Lombard (25) is from Waverley in Johannesburg and says that she has always been a dynamic, high-achieving individual. She is a final-year medical student interested in neurological pathologies. She speaks fluent English and French while having a comprehensive understanding of Afrikaans, isiZulu and Sesotho. She loves to balance her creative, artistic abilities with her deep interests in science, achieved through biomedical science studies, creating artwork and being a professional model part-time.
Reinette Potgieter, aged 26, lives in Morningside, Sandton, although she hails from Trichardt in Mpumalanga. She has attained a B.Ed., senior phase and further education and training teaching degree from the University of Pretoria. Currently, she is fully committed to her teaching profession. Describing herself as timeless, she endeavours to exemplify the grace and poise reminiscent of the late Princess Diana. She sees the youth as catalysts for societal change, inspiring progress and innovation.
Shané Maloney (20) comes from Woodhill in Pretoria and is a B Com marketing and management science student. She is also a photographer and an English TEFL teacher. She describes herself as “a warrior,” kind and soft-hearted, and a person who cares for others more than herself. She would love to meet former Miss South Africa and Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Tebow to hear more about her new book, A Crown That Lasts.
Sherry Wang (29), from Sunninghill in Sandton, holds an honours degree in Bachelor of Arts International Relations from the University of Witwatersrand and currently works as an HR manager. She describes herself as bold, easy-going and attentive. She hopes to use her experience and knowledge, with the help of other organisations, to bridge the gap between circumstance and opportunity.
Sinenhlanhla Mthethwa is a 23 year old from Richards Bay in KwaZulu Natal and is a model and entrepreneur. She hold a psychology degree from the University of Zululand and runs her clothing business, Cassie M Clothing, full time. She describes herself as a go-getter. She hopes to curb woman-to-woman hate and spread the message of entrepreneurship to young people in order to fight unemployment.
Taahira Katz (25) is from Nancefield in Soweto and has a degree in Social Science. She has travelled the world as an international model and has a passion for learning and engaging in new experiences. She would like to work with an organisation that focuses on the crisis around mental health.
Download the Miss South Africa app for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play store.
Viewers can also buy the Top 30/Finalist journey bundle on the Miss South Africa app to watch the full judging day video and get a sneak peek of the judging process.
Viewers will get to meet the finalists in Crown Chasers, the thrilling reality TV show that introduces South African viewers to those vying to take the crown from the incumbent, Natasha Joubert. The six-part series starts on S3 on June 29, 2024, at 8.30pm.
Source and images: Supplied
