The 23-year old cried tears of joy after Anele Mdoda announced that the 23-year-old had won the title, and she and runner-up Ayanda Thabethe embraced after she was announced the winner. The pageant finale took place on Saturday night at the glittering the Sun Arena in Times Square, Pretoria and the excitement was palpable.
Nokeri will represent South Africa at the world’s three most prestigious pageants – Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss Supranational.
In her acceptance speech (which can be found in full at the bottom of this release) Nokeri said: “For a girl from Gabaza to be seen, embraced and chosen to represent her country is a groundbreaking moment. A moment that reaffirms that our dreams are valid, regardless of where we come from. I am grateful for the women who have gone before me who broke the glass ceiling so I could stand here today empowered, fulfilled and ready to proudly raise the South African flag high everywhere I go and to shine the light of hope to all South Africans.
“As your Miss South Africa, I understand the importance of representation, because it is through seeing other women look beyond their fears and their circumstances, that I gained the courage to rise to the call. I will represent South Africa, in all its diversity, resilience and beauty. It really does take a village, and I am so grateful that my village showed up for me. It is now for me to work and ensure that every success of mine overflows into my country. Thank you for trusting me with this position. As this journey begins, I will work to make it a chapter in which anyone who has ever felt ostracised feels included and reassured of the value that they bring into the world.”
She explained how failure had helped her grow and achieve: “Growing up, I struggled with mathematics in school. With every bad result I received, I started believing and accepting that it was something that I just couldn’t do until I decided to approach it with a different attitude. I decided that I am the author of my own story and so I redefined myself as a woman who is capable of doing all things she sets her mind to with excellence. This is the attitude that I carry with me into every journey and it has shaped the person I am proud to be today.”
Nokeri was also the winner of the People’s Choice vote. Ndavi will receive a stunning package of prizes and sponsorships worth more than R3 million when she takes over the crown from reigning Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane on Saturday night.
She is also set to collect R1 million in cash from the Miss South Africa Organisation as well as the use of a serviced apartment at the lavish Ellipse Waterfall – developed by Tricolt and Attacq – for the year of her reign. Located in the heart of Waterfall City, the apartment comes fully furnished by Superbalist, with homeware by Woolworths and blinds by Galaxy Blinds. She will also get to drive a Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan during her reign.
