Miss South Africa: Essence of pageantry
WeekendLife
Miss South Africa has just ended their 62nd edition in style leaving yet another astounding mark in their pageantry space.
Prior to crowing Zozibini Tunzi last year who later won Miss Universe 2019, Miss South Africa did not let the Covid-19 pandemic stop them, if anything they soared and defied odds and set the bar high once again.
Miss South Africa have broken ties with mediocrity and they do not have any association with it whatsoever. Something which other countries can learn a lot from, including our very own Miss Botswana, whose silence is too loud ever since the recent Queen, Oweditse Phirinyane, stepped down.
African pageantry entirely can sit down and learn on what it means to craft an event that runs with excellence.WeekendLife, took time to appreciate SA pageant and how far they have come with hosting it.With 62 Miss South Africa’s crowned, three Miss World titles brought home and two Miss Universe crown in the bag, Miss SA has a rich pageant history to look back on.
After winning the Miss Universe title in 2020, the organisers pulled yet another stellar event that left many tongues wagging.Miss South Africa 2020 had 253800 entries and they were hosted online and virtually so that candidates can join wherever they are. All the candidates went through virtual interviews, and some had to be cut for Top 30.
Later Top 15 was chosen and voting lines were opened for the public to decide who goes into top 10. They stunning finalist brought their A-game and the fairest of them and the smartest of them had to be enthroned as Miss South Africa 2020.
The event which was hosted in Cape Town received the support it deserved from stakeholders, businesses as well as organisation.The most striking thing about their pageant was the amount of support they received in terms of services and finances from different stakeholders.
Something that needs to be adapted back home to show support of something that gives face to our country that we may be well represented as well. Renowned designers did not want to be left behind either, they came to the party and ensured that the contestants are adorned in absolute elegance and glamour.
Miss South Africa was looking for a young ambitious South African. Through a pageantry process, contestants receive world-renowned coaching in addition to advanced networking, business and life skills to become an all-rounder. They are fashioned into brand ambassadors for their country, to become champions of womens rights, thought leaders and savvy career women who inspire other young South Africans to fulfil their potential, recognise their self-worth and find their place in the world.
The narrative of what beauty is, was changed through this pageantry. Many black women resorted to bleaching because they somehow believed beauty meant being light skinned and wearing weaves. When Tunzi took over as Miss South Africa in a sly cut, and later won Miss Universe with the same cut, there was hope for the restoration of African beauty. Many women went for the same hairstyle and embraced their skin.
This year again a beautiful young bald black woman, Shudufhadzo Musida, who reminds us of a character played by Danai Gurira in Black Panther, won the title. Musida is both beauty and brains. She was one of the contestant who answered questions with ease and intellect.
Ultimately South African pageantry has restored and revived African beauty to be celebrated in higher spaces such as Miss Universe.The significance of Miss South Africa is also seen through their Prize packages and Musida went home with R3million cash prize, sponsorships, a fully furnished and serviced apartment at the luxurious central square with fabulous interior dcor and a Mercedes Benz c200 Cabriolet for the year of her reign.
The first runner up walked away with R250 000, second runner up went home with R100 000 while other Top 10 contestants went home with R25 000.

Even though Botswana has over the years been performing extremely poorly at the Miss World competition, the country has confirmed that it will be hosting the beauty festival in 2026. Initially, the country was to host Miss World next year, something it failed to confirm before deadline. Director at Miss Botswana, Benjamin Raletsatsi, says Botswana will be ready then to host all participants. Miss Botswana Top 25 finalists left the boot camp yesterday. Quite shocking though, Miss Botswana team is still failing basics as responding to media inquiries on time yet it is dangerously hoping to host an event of high status

DJ Sway, the daring and ambitious on-air presenter of Yarona FM, played a crucial role in saving the radio station’s music awards, known as the YAMAs. The event was initially dry and disorganized, but DJ Sway, who co-hosted with Pearl Thusi, injected life into the show. However, things took a turn for the worse when Pearl Thusi abruptly left the stage, leaving DJ Sway to carry on alone. Despite the unexpected setback, DJ Sway rose to the occasion and captivated the audience, effectively putting an end to the drama caused by Pearl Thusi.
In an exclusive interview after the YAMAs, DJ Sway revealed the behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolded during the event. He acknowledged the script editors, Phalana and Hope, who worked tirelessly to reedit the script and adapt it to a one-host format. Despite the last-minute changes, DJ Sway remained composed and focused, thanks to the support of his colleagues, such as Owen Rampha, Katlego Rakola, Tshepang Motsisi (DJ Easy), and LB.
When asked about his initial reaction to the unexpected turn of events, DJ Sway admitted to feeling saddened by how things ended. However, he credited Pearl Thusi for giving him a much-needed confidence boost during his moment of doubt. She reminded him that he was destined for greatness and that he didn’t need big stars to succeed. With her words of encouragement, DJ Sway regained his composure and approached the rest of the show with the same professionalism and charisma he displays on the radio.
To overcome the challenges he faced, DJ Sway relied on his radio skills and calm personality. He engaged with the audience as if he were speaking to a single person, pointing out individuals in the crowd to create a more intimate connection. He also expressed gratitude for his backstage team, who provided support and ensured the smooth running of the show.
DJ Sway expressed satisfaction in being seen as the saving grace of the YAMAs. He believed that he fulfilled his role as a host and brought joy to the Yarona FM board, his family, and his fans. Despite his success, DJ Sway’s journey has not been without hardships. He has experienced the loss of his mother and sister, which has left a lasting impact on him. While he continues to grieve, he seeks solace in therapy sessions and relies on his father for emotional support.
DJ Sway’s dedication to his craft and ability to overcome adversity make him a remarkable figure in the radio industry. His vibrant personality and deep knowledge of music have made him a perfect fit for Yarona FM. Despite the challenges he has faced, DJ Sway remains determined to make a positive impact and bring joy to his listeners. With his talent and resilience, there is no doubt that DJ Sway will continue to thrive in his career and leave a lasting legacy in the world of radio.

Chef Gustos, the renowned hitmaker, recently experienced what can only be described as a walk of shame at the 8th edition of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs). Despite being nominated a whopping seven times, he failed to secure a single win. Ouch!
The night was filled with surprises, drama, and controversy, but the biggest winner of the evening was Han C, who walked away with three awards, including Best Pop and Best Male Single for his hit song, “Sebinki.” Han C graciously announced that he would be donating P10,000 from his winnings to his fellow nominees, promoting a spirit of togetherness among artists. What a noble gesture!
Meanwhile, Chef Gustos found himself on the losing end of several categories, including People’s Choice Artist of the Year, which he had won in the past. He seemed unfazed by the loss, stating, “People know that ‘Away’ was big, but they won’t stop me.” It’s clear that Chef Gustos is determined to continue making music, regardless of the awards he receives.
However, he did express his frustration with the outcome, suggesting that the awards may be corrupt. He declined to comment further, citing the need to protect his brand and maintain good relationships with corporate clients. It’s understandable that he wants to avoid any potential damage to his future prospects.
In fact, Chef Gustos went so far as to request that Yarona FM not nominate him for future YAMAs. It seems he wants to distance himself from the disappointment and focus on his music without the pressure of awards. Perhaps this decision will allow him to create freely and without the burden of expectations.
While Chef Gustos may have experienced a walk of shame at the YAMAs, it’s important to remember that awards do not define an artist’s talent or success. His fans still appreciate his music, and he continues to have gigs with corporate clients. So, despite the disappointment, Chef Gustos remains optimistic about his future in the industry.
In the end, the YAMAs may have been a letdown for Chef Gustos, but he’s determined to keep moving forward. He won’t let a lack of awards dampen his spirits or hinder his creativity. And who knows, maybe next time he’ll come back stronger and prove that he’s deserving of recognition. After all, the true measure of an artist’s success lies in the hearts of their fans, not in shiny trophies.