Meet the judges who will choose this year’s Miss South Africa Top 30, the list of which will be revealed live on the Miss South Africa app on Monday, May 16 at 19h00.
Read More: Entries For Miss South Africa 2022 Are Set To Open On Friday 01 April 2022
Read More: Entries For Miss South Africa 2022 Are Set To Open On Friday 01 April 2022
They are previous judge and Miss South Africa 2015, Liesl Laurie-Mthombeni, body positive activist Tracey-Lee Lusty Horwitz, business dynamo Koo Govender, fashion designer Khosi Nkosi, businesswoman and award-winning editor Makhosazana Zwane-Siguqa, actor Simoné Nortmann and actor and TV personality Thando Thabethe.
Laurie-Mthombeni who is no stranger to the Miss SA judging panel said she is grateful for this opportunity and she does not take the opportunity for granted. “Being a part of the Miss South Africa judging panel is always such an honour for me because I am part of a group of incredibly powerful women that are sitting together and choosing the next ambassador for South Africa. This is essentially a woman that will go on to represent us internationally. Sitting on this panel is something I do not take for granted. I understand that this is a huge job interview and I always encourage the entrants of the pageant to treat it as such.”
Lusty Horwitz added: “It is a privilege to be included in the judging panel this year. I’ve taken a keen interest in Miss South Africa since 2014 so accepting the invitation to be a judge this year has been a professional highlight for me. I was blown away by the calibre of entrants and the ladies certainly didn’t make our task easy. I am looking for a dynamic young woman who radiates a warm and elegant confidence, is selfless and unapologetic, possesses incredible inner strength and has a clear understanding of what it means to be both a local and global ambassador for South Africa. She must inspire others, be a role model and be open to personal growth. She must demonstrate a fierce commitment to her advocacy and be authentic in her pursuit of the crown.”
CEO of Dentsu, Koo Govender had this to say about her involvement as a first-time judge in the pageant process: “I am honoured to have been invited as a judge for Miss South Africa 2022. As a strong advocate for women empowerment, being associated with the Miss South Africa brand is completely aligned with my personal values and passion for women upliftment. This year’s judging has been a rigorous and robust process as the calibre of women who have entered and qualified are truly in a league of their own. I have absolutely loved the opportunity and I am so looking forward to seeing these phenomenal women thrive.”
Khosi Nkosi the process may have taken longer than anticipated but she believes they chose the best top 30 finalists. “With the brand, Khosi Nkosi being involved with Miss South Africa for the past couple of years, it’s a befitting honour and humbling experience to be involved in the selection process of Miss South Africa 2022. The calibre of entries showcased the vast facets of our country and how much impact the pageant holds in changing the lives of the entrants. The deliberation process may have taken longer than we had anticipated, however I believe we have chosen a strong Miss SA Top 30.”
Editor-in-Chief of True Love magazine, Makhosazana Zwane-Siguqa said “The Miss South Africa pageant represents the hope and aspirations of not only the many young South African women who enter annually but to South Africa as a whole. Over the years, our generation has witnessed many a young woman’s life and communities being transformed for the better. The pageant has grown to reflect the mood and values of a beautiful nation, united in our diversity. I’m proud to have been part of a panel to present South Africa with the 30 young women who represent the best in all of us.”
While Simoné Nortmann said: “I feel incredibly honoured to be on the judging panel of Miss SA. I’ve followed the competition ever since I was a little girl and have always been so inspired by the way these women steward their platforms to affect change. This is such a strong group of women; evident by the long hours it took to select the top 30. I can’t wait to meet them face to face to find our next Miss SA who will blow the nation away with her charisma, leadership skills, authenticity, relatability, intelligence and kindness.”
“Being part of the judging panel for Miss South Africa 2022 has been exciting and an experience I will forever treasure,” said Thando Thabethe.
“Miss SA has proven to be a platform that celebrates women from all backgrounds and has solidified the idea that beauty isn’t a mould that one has to fit into. The women we have seen so far have been simply exceptional and I cannot wait to help change another young woman’s life,” she added.
Image Cred: Instagram @T