The 2026 Miss SA pageant took an unexpected turn when Tiyani Makamu was crowned the winner, only to be presented with a plastic-looking headpiece and a velvet robe instead of the traditional Mowana crown. The new crown, dubbed "imbokodo," was part of the pageant's theme of transforming "rocks" into "diamonds." According to Miss SA spokesperson Zawadi Dlamini, the crown was an intentional choice to represent the strength of women.
The "imbokodo" crown was a departure from the Mowana crown, which was designed by local jewellers Nungu Diamonds and first worn by Natasha Joubert in 2023. Previous winner Qhawekazi Mazaleni was also without the Mowana crown during the event. Dlamini explained that the organization is still actively engaging designers to create a new crown and that the "imbokodo" was a temporary placeholder.
The pageant was also marked by several mishaps, including contestants stumbling over their dresses, struggling with their speeches, and veering off-script during their walks on stage. These incidents raised questions about the preparation and training provided to the contestants. Co-chair of Miss SA, Shudufhadzo Musida, who won the title in 2020, defended the training provided to the contestants, citing their experience with the Gordons Institute of Business Science.
According to Musida, the contestants received public speaking training and took part in pitching exercises with business leaders in South Africa. She emphasized that this training was crucial to the role of Miss SA and would be essential for the contestants' future success. Makamu, the newly crowned Miss SA, expressed her gratitude for the win and described the journey as intentional in finding the right ambassadors to empower the youth of Africa.
The controversy surrounding the new crown design sparked widespread debate, with many viewers taking to social media to express their disappointment and confusion. Some likened the "imbokodo" crown to a Burger King crown, while others drew comparisons to evil Disney Queen memes. The Miss SA organization faced criticism for its handling of the pageant and the perceived lack of preparation among the contestants.
In response to the criticism, Dlamini announced that the organization would be sharing the process of creating a new crown and would encourage entrants to design one through a competition. The new crown is expected to be unveiled in the coming year, with Makamu's reign as Miss SA set to continue until the next pageant.
The 2026 Miss SA pageant highlighted the challenges of rebranding and revamping a long-standing event. While the organization aimed to bring a fresh perspective to the pageant, it appears to have faced several teething problems. As the Miss SA organization moves forward, it will need to balance its creative vision with the expectations of its audience and the contestants.
Key points
- The 2026 Miss SA pageant was marred by controversy over its new crown design and several mishaps during the event.
- The "imbokodo" crown was a temporary placeholder, and the organization plans to engage designers to create a new one.
- The pageant's new management, including co-chair Shudufhadzo Musida, defended the training provided to the contestants.
