Miss SA pageant organisers have revealed the 24 finalists who will compete for the Miss South Africa 2026 crown, with each contender bringing a mix of ambition, community work and personal purpose to the spotlight.
The announcement comes as the competition’s landscape shifts behind the scenes. Following reporting that the organisation stepped away from its licences connected to major international pageants, those rights were later taken up by former Miss South Africa Bokang Montjane. With that change, the Miss South Africa brand says it is recalibrating its focus away from global glitz and toward homegrown leadership.
In its new direction, the organisation says the programme is designed to identify and nurture young women who are determined to create genuine change in South Africa, with goals of extending that impact across the wider African continent.
Here are the 24 women now in the running for the title this year:
Alia Khan Koumantarakis (21, KwaZulu-Natal) is a filmmaker and author who is also an AFDA graduate, having launched Stalia Productions. She has spoken openly about overcoming dyslexia and uses her platform to champion literacy and creative empowerment, working to widen access to books, writing competitions and mentorship for aspiring young storytellers.
Amogelang Bunu (27, Gauteng) works as a speech therapist and audiologist, holding qualifications from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. She founded Bunu Speech Therapy and Audiology and previously earned recognition as a Junior World Karate Champion. Her advocacy centres on supporting child development through play, and pushing for compulsory hearing and communication screening in schools.
Bonolo Marang Motau (25, Gauteng) is a brand and marketing professional with three degrees from Wits and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration. Through her “Smart Education Hubs” concept, she wants to promote educational access and digital inclusion by offering bursaries, literacy support and career guidance.
Cwenga Koyana Kotu-Rammopo (27, Gauteng) is a social entrepreneur and co-founder of Talitha Together, a programme that has supported thousands of adolescent mothers across Southern Africa. Her platform highlights adolescent-parent empowerment, along with improving access to education.
Gift Ntimani (24, Gauteng) is a qualified remote/BVLOS pilot and the founder of Kasi to the World, where she introduces underserved young people to potential careers in aviation. She also stays active in initiatives aimed at empowering girls, including sanitary support programmes.
Ipeleng Pearl Madiba (23, North West) is an archaeologist and a Wits Honours student who has spoken about facing financial hardship and mental health challenges. She is passionate about teaching African heritage and identity, using schools and community partnerships to strengthen cultural education.
Katlego Malebye (31, Gauteng) is a candidate architect with three architecture qualifications and is working toward SACAP registration. Her “Build for Change” initiative focuses on affordable housing, while also opening up STEM opportunities for young women.
Kaylan Matthews (30, Eastern Cape) is a fitness coach and founder of Coach Kay, with a Human Movement Science degree. Her #StandStrongSA initiative pushes mental wellness through movement, including free sessions for women in underserved communities.
Kendra Norah Horne (29, Western Cape) is a sports scientist with credentials from Stellenbosch, UWC and a French university. She advocates for mental health and wellness and co-leads youth organisations that run sports programmes and organise resource drives.
Nongcebo Mngadi (30, KwaZulu-Natal) is a filmmaker trained through AFDA, and she is campaigning for women’s health—drawing from her own experience with endometriosis—alongside creating opportunities in the creative economy for young people. She is also involved in mentoring and food-relief efforts.
Lesego Khumo Nyathela (30, Gauteng) is a model and entrepreneur and a cum laude graduate in Business Management. She advocates for healthcare awareness, organ donation and education around chronic illnesses, and she volunteers on gender-based violence initiatives.
Makhosazana “Azana” Masango (25, KwaZulu-Natal) is a musician and an LLB student at UNISA who runs a school choir programme. Her work focuses on widening educational access, including support for school infrastructure and funded studio opportunities for young artists.
Modiegi Mashamaite (37, Gauteng) is listed as a journalist advocating for educational equity and youth opportunity. The source page’s bio text for her appears to have been duplicated from another profile, so reliable details beyond her name, age and province are not available.
Ndiwanga Muravha (22, Mpumalanga) is pursuing a Master’s degree in Agriculture and founded Crimson Creative, which concentrates on digital skills training. Her advocacy includes youth employment and entrepreneurship, and she has represented South Africa through international youth exchange programmes.
Ofentse Palesa Precious Motaung (22, Gauteng) holds a BA Law qualification and works as a volunteer librarian. She is involved with The Suicide Prevention Squad and focuses on creative entrepreneurship and youth mental wellness.
Palesa van Rooyen (27, Free State) is a medical doctor who studied at Stellenbosch and hopes to specialise in paediatrics. She advocates for child safety, nutrition and early childhood development, supporting efforts such as the Impilo Project.
Sanelisiwe Diko (26, Eastern Cape) is a pharmacist trained at Rhodes University. She campaigns for improved access to healthcare and stronger health literacy, and she contributes to outreach initiatives including the Phelophepa health train.
Sibahle Ngwenya (28, KwaZulu-Natal) is a machine learning research engineer with engineering degrees from Wits and Stellenbosch, where her work includes computational psychiatry research. She supports AI and digital education, backs mental health awareness, and mentors young women in tech.
Simone Nonhlanhla Tshituka (26, Gauteng) is a senior actuarial associate (with a Wits background) and is working toward professional actuarial qualification. Her advocacy centres on improving foundational maths education and increasing access to STEM pathways, especially for Black women.
Sunshine Dlangamandla (29, Gauteng) is an architect and Master’s graduate, currently working as a UJ assistant lecturer. She created a Pan-African colouring book initiative and advocates for African identity and cultural learning.
Tebogo Palesa Molatlhegi (29, Gauteng) is an investments specialist and the founder of “Boss Queen: I Am Excellent.” Her work encourages youth mental wellness through creative expression—through art, dance and writing—and she serves on the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation Youth Advisory Board.
Tiyani Makamu (27, Gauteng) works in communications and founded Hubsela, a platform supporting small business growth. She advocates for entrepreneurship and skills development and has previously served on the Mfudumalo Foundation board.
Unami Mthethwa (29, KwaZulu-Natal) is a content creator and media professional, with a Communication and Media qualification from UJ. She is also a former competitive gymnast and focuses on advocating for young women’s leadership and entrepreneurship.
Zoalize Jansen Van Rensburg (20, Gauteng) is an entrepreneur, a published children’s author and an LLB student. She co-founded fashion brand Emberman Official and advocates for education and youth development, having spoken at a UN social justice conference.
Miss SA organisers have not yet detailed the next stages of the competition, but with the full top 24 confirmed, the race for the Miss South Africa 2026 title is officially underway.
