Miss South Africa

Miss South Africa is a national Beauty pageant in South Africa. Traditionally Miss South Africa competed at Miss World until they acquired the franchise of Miss Universe. The winners are sent to both international pageants. The current Miss South Africa is Tamaryn Green from Western Cape. She will go on to represent South Africa at the Miss Universe pageant where, if crowned, would only be the second back-to-back victory in Miss Universe history and the first for South Africa.

History

Established in 1956 in Apartheid South Africa, the first official Miss South Africa pageant was only open to "white" (Caucasian) females and was organised to send a representative to London for the Miss World pageant. That year Norma Vorster was crowned and the Miss SA. Two years later, an 18-year-old secretary from Durban, Penny Coelen, was crowned and would later go on to make history and win Miss World. It was not until 1992 that all persons of all races were allowed to compete in the Miss SA competition. Prior to that person's of colour competed in the Miss Africa South pageant.

This was just the beginning for the Miss South Africa organisation and of the 60 women who have worn the crown only the last 27 winners have been chosen from the entire population of South Africa and not just white individuals. Since then, hundreds of young women have entered the pageant vying for the prestigious title.

Miss South Africa (or a runner-up in some instances) has always competed at Miss World, but the first Miss South Africa to compete at Miss Universe was Kerishnie Naicker in 1998. The reigning Miss South Africa is Tamaryn Green, she will represent South Africa at Miss Universe 2018.^[1]

Prior to 1998, South Africa's representatives at Miss Universe qualified via other national pageants.

Miss South Africa runners-up do not compete at any international pageants.

Three Miss South Africas, namely, Rolene Strauss, Anneline Kriel and Penelope Coelen have won the Miss World titles in 2014, 1974 and 1958 respectively.Two (2) women from South Africa won the title of Miss Universe - Margaret Gardiner, Miss Universe on 1978 and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss Universe 2017. South Africa hasn't won Miss Earth or Miss International titles.

Titleholders

Miss South Africa

Big Four pageants

The following women have represented South Africa in two of the Big Four major international beauty pageants for women.^[7][8] These are Miss World and Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth are held by separate national beauty pageants in South Africa.^[9][10][11]

Colour key

Hosts

• Richard Steinmetz
• Bonang Matheba
• ProVerb

See also

• Miss Earth South Africa
• Miss South Africa 2014

References

Notes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Miss South Africa.

• Official Miss South Africa website