The Miss South Africa Organisation has unveiled a new crown, Imbokodo, which was worn by newly crowned Miss South Africa, Tiyani Makamu. The introduction of the new crown has sparked surprise and conversation among pageant viewers, with many questioning what had happened to the Nungu Diamonds Mowana crown. The Mowana crown had been part of the pageant's crowning tradition since 2023 and was worn by previous winners, including Natasha Vermaak, Mia Le Roux, and Qhawekazi Mazaleni.
The Motsepe Group acquired the Miss South Africa Organisation in July 2025 and has since introduced several changes to the pageant. At a press conference, Miss South Africa spokesperson Zawadi Dlamini explained that the new crown was centred around this year's theme, "Imbokodo to Diamond". The Imbokodo crown represents the strength of women and is meant to symbolize women as rocks. Dlamini revealed that the organisation is engaging with young designers to contribute to the creation of a new crown.
Nungu Diamonds co-founder and managing director Kealeboga Pule has confirmed that the jewellery brand's partnership with the Miss South Africa Organisation was not renewed for 2026. Pule acknowledged the public's reaction to the new crown, stating that it was not the work of Nungu Diamonds. He explained that the partnership between Nungu Diamonds and Miss South Africa was renewed annually, but unfortunately, they could not reach an agreement for 2026.
Pule revealed that discussions about potentially extending the agreement continued until the latter part of the previous week, but ultimately, they could not find a way to work together. He declined to elaborate on why the two organisations could not reach an agreement, maintaining a diplomatic stance on the end of the partnership. Pule emphasized that the brand continues to hold the pageant in high regard and is proud of the work they had produced with the Mowana crown.
The Mowana crown was worn by Miss South Africa winners Natasha Vermaak, Mia Le Roux, and Qhawekazi Mazaleni. Pule reflected on the crown's legacy and the public's response to its absence, stating that Nungu Diamonds remains proud of the work they had produced. He expressed that the public's reaction gives them confidence that the Mowana crown should have been worn by Miss South Africa this year.
The Miss South Africa Organisation plans to share the process of creating the new Imbokodo crown, which is expected to be unveiled in the future. Dlamini did not provide a timeline for when the new crown would be completed but expressed excitement about the process. The organisation aims to empower designers and involve the public in the creation of the new crown.
The controversy surrounding the new crown has sparked a conversation about the importance of the Miss South Africa crown and its significance to the pageant. The Miss South Africa Organisation has become a platform for showcasing South African talent and beauty, and the crown has become an integral part of the pageant's tradition.
Key points
- The Miss South Africa Organisation has introduced a new crown, Imbokodo, which represents the strength of women.
- Nungu Diamonds' partnership with the Miss South Africa Organisation was not renewed for 2026.
- The Mowana crown, which had been part of the pageant since 2023, is no longer being used.
