New Miss South Africa Tiyani Makamu Crowned, Emphasizes Leadership Over Beauty

Tiyani Makamu, a 27-year-old from Bronkhorstspruit, was crowned Miss South Africa on Saturday at the Sandton Convention Centre. The event saw the Top 12 finalists present their respective causes, walk the runway in designer dresses, and share why they deserved the crown. Makamu's win marks a new era for the pageant, which has shifted its focus from beauty to leadership. This change in focus was a major draw for Makamu, who had previously not considered participating in beauty pageants.

The Miss South Africa pageant has introduced a new focus on leadership and social impact, with a R5m fund to support this initiative. One of the judges, Dr Musa Mthombeni, emphasized that leadership was a key criterion for selecting the next Miss South Africa. He stated that while beauty is important, the pageant is looking for a contestant with substance, someone who is empathetic and understands the problems faced by communities. This approach aligns with Makamu's values and work.

Makamu revealed that she was inspired to enter the pageant after learning of its new focus on leadership. She had grown up in a conservative home where beauty pageants were not encouraged. However, when she heard about the Miss South Africa pageant's shift in focus, she saw it as an opportunity to speak from a leadership perspective. The pageant's five pillars, which were unveiled, resonated with Makamu and motivated her to participate.

Following her crowning, Makamu expressed her excitement about the pageant's new direction. She believes that this approach will allow her to make a meaningful impact. The pageant's organizers have announced plans to engage young designers in the creation of a new crown, following backlash on social media about the current design. The gold-colored crown, which was used during the finale, was secured at the back of Makamu's head and was intended to be a temporary design.

The Miss South Africa Organisation has clarified that it will be opening a competition for young designers to contribute to the creation of a new crown. The pageant's spokesperson, Zawadi Dlamini, stated that more details about the process would be shared, including opportunities for young designers to participate in its design and creation. This move is seen as an effort to engage with the public and create a more inclusive and representative crown.

Nungu Diamonds, the previous sponsor of the Miss South Africa crown, has released a statement distancing itself from the new crown. The company confirmed that its sponsorship agreement was not renewed for 2026, despite negotiations taking place in good faith. The decision not to use the Mowana Crown, which was previously used, rested solely with the Miss South Africa Organisation.

As Makamu begins her reign as Miss South Africa, she will be expected to embody the pageant's new focus on leadership and social impact. With her background and values aligning with this approach, she is well-positioned to make a meaningful impact. The pageant's shift in focus is seen as a positive step towards empowering young women and promoting leadership.

Key points

• The Miss South Africa pageant has shifted its focus from beauty to leadership, with a R5m fund to support this initiative.
• Tiyani Makamu, the new Miss South Africa, was inspired to enter the pageant by its new focus on leadership.
• The pageant's organizers will engage young designers in the creation of a new crown, following backlash on social media about the current design.