Miss South Africa has announced the top 10 finalists competing for the title and the crown.
This year, the top 10 judges were all former Miss South Africa title holders and included Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala (Miss SA 2010), Liesl Laurie (Miss SA 2015), Melinda Bam (Miss SA 2011) and Tamaryn Green (Miss SA 2018).
Miss South Africa 2021 will be crowned on Saturday, October 16 at the Grand West Arena in Cape Town. The top 3 winners will then go on to represent the country at the world’s most prestigious pageants: Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Supranational.
Meet the incredible women who make up the Miss SA 2021 top 10 below.
Zimi Mabunzi
Zimi Mabunzi, from eQonce (King William’s Town) is a student at the Nelson Mandela University in her final year of a BCom Law degree and the winner of the People’s vote. In her spare time, she loves to work out, sing and cook.
“There is a short video of a little girl, wishing me well on my Miss South Africa journey. I did not know this little girl before her mother found my number and sent it to me. Apparently, she really loves Miss South Africa and was so excited to hear that someone from her town was in the Top 30. It’s so fulfilling knowing that my leap of faith has already had an impact on another young woman.”
Tiffany Francis
Tiffany Francis, from Johannesburg owns Tiffany K Models, she is a professional model and fashion design student. Her ideal break would be a week in Italy with Frank Sinatra playlists, beaches and eating pizza for days on end
Tiffany shares the hardest question for her during the judging process: ‘Who is your favourite brother?’ – was the question I found impossible to answer … my siblings have taught me the value of relationships!”
Catherine Groenewald
Catherine Groenewald is from Constantia in Cape Town and is in her final year of a B Com visual communications degree, majoring in graphic design. She is also a barre fitness instructor and full-time model with Topco Models.
“It is now my third time entering and I have finally made it to the Top 10. I hope that this serves as a reminder that you really are capable of anything. A destiny delayed is not a destiny denied.”
Lalela Mswane
Lalela Mswane is from KwaSokhulu, Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. She is a model and dancer and has a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Pretoria. Lalela describes herself as graceful, tenacious and meticulous.
Here, Lalela reveals what the Miss South Africa journey has taught her: “Firstly, that I possess more courage than I ever give myself credit for in being courageous enough to pursue this dream and opening myself up to public scrutiny. Secondly, I’ve learnt that I’m capable of achieving anything I set my mind and heart to and lastly, I’ve learnt that I can handle high pressure situations quite well.”
Bianca Bezuidenhout
Bianca Bezuidenhout is from Strand in Cape Town, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing communications and is currently completing her honours in media studies. She is also a dance instructor as well as a business owner of her own swimwear company called She Succeeds.
“Miss South Africa is not just a once-off event; we are all part of a powerful platform where we can inspire, educate and use it as a launch pad for much needed social change.”
Kaylan Matthews
Kaylan Matthews is from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape in her final year of a Bachelors in Human Movement Science at the Nelson Mandela University. She has a huge love for exercise and living a healthy, wholesome lifestyle
Recalling a funny moment during the Top 30 journey Kaylan shared, “I had a radio interview and was asked where I attended school. For some odd reason I forgot the name of my primary school and gave a completely different school without realising it. I’m sure I left many of my primary school classmates confused if they had tuned in!”
Jeanni Mulder
Jeanni Mulder is from Sea Point, Cape Town, is a full-time model and describes herself as compassionate, strong-willed and genuine. She credits her mom for being her role model who has taught her to fight hard, love deeply and never to be afraid of being passionate about what makes you happy.
“I want to show South Africans my voice, my story and what I stand for. I am ready to talk about a big problem that South Africa is facing and Miss South Africa will give me the platform to implement change. So follow my journey to see what that will be!”
Kgothatso Dithebe
Kgothatso Dithebe is from Tshwane, Gauteng. She is currently studying towards an LLB law degree and runs her own company in construction and supply. In her spare time, she goes to the gym, plays netball and loves trying out new recipes. Kgothatso was also in the Top 10 in 2019.
“I want to enjoy this because I will never re-live this moment again. I am looking forward to the public hearing my voice and my purpose.”
Cheneil Hartzenberg
Cheneil Hartzenberg is from Meredale, Johannesburg in Gauteng, and is a commercial pilot and senior flight instructor in a managerial role at a flight school. She completed a digital marketing course with UCT online last year and is currently studying for her airline transport pilot licence.
“I am passionate about ensuring that the basic needs of the children in South Africa are met. I will support programmes ensuring that children are fed before, during and after school.”
Dr Moratwe Masima
Dr Moratwe Masima is from Atholl, Sandton in Gauteng, and is a qualified medical doctor doing her first year of internship at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital. She is an aspiring plastic and reconstructive surgeon who would love to meet the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Arden as she is in awe of how she has handled the global pandemic and how she always puts the livelihood of her citizens first.
“I wasn’t expecting it because all the women in the Top 30 were absolutely amazing. When I heard I had made it to Top 10, I had just finished a 24-hour shift at the hospital. I felt a lot of emotions all at once mainly because I had a rough night at work but also so grateful that all my hard work was being recognised.”
Miss SA 2021 will be simulcast live on M-Net (DStv channel 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) at 17:00, as well as live-streamed on the My DStv App. International audiences can also tune in via the online platform at misssa.live.
