The exciting and equally nerve-wrecking time when hopeful aspiring queens make their submissions to be in the running towards becoming mzansi’s ultimate ambassador and being crowned the next Miss SA. However, the more entries continue to pour in, we can’t help but wonder about the optics behind celebrities and influencers entering.
As the Miss SA organisation has continued to make a name for itself in the international pageant community, the Miss SA competition has consistently remained immensely popular, as women from all corners of the country continue to submit their applications to sit on the throne as the ultimate queen and South Africa’s ambassador. With names such as Mia Le Roux, Natasha Joubert, Shudufhadzo Musina, and Zozibini Tunzi having served on the throne, the next winners have major shoes to fill, as the role comes with great responsibility.
The organisation’s continued success has resulted in the pageant gaining much attention and notoriety, and has resulted in some of mzansi’s notable names and figures from the entertainment industry throwing their names in as well, as they chase their dream of becoming South Africa’s ultimate pageant queen and envoy. This year, names such as actresses Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku and Luyanda Zuma have already submitted their videos that declare their entry as a contestant, which has caused quite a stir on various social media as users go back and forth about the morality and ethics of well-known figures entering the competition.
On one side, some users have expressed that they believe that celebrities and influencers who have already established some platforms for themselves are well within their rights to enter the pageant. Furthermore, these users believe that their fame and popularity could amplify the pageant’s visibility and create more buzz and excitement around it, and potentially bring in more aspiring contestants.
When you go outside and look at other ladies in at other countries. Some of them are very established. I see nothing wrong with a returning contestant who used the platform. Plus her first entry video was just as dramatic. Just say you don’t want a well polished girlie
— Mrs Mayibongwe (@MaryAnnNkoana) April 11, 2025
On the other hand, others believe as though this opens up a possibility of a conflict of interest, as these figures are more likely to be fueled by the need and want for popularity, as opposed to what the platform is really about, which is to inspire and implement change and leadership in South Africa.
She’s pretty, but an entry video doesn’t need to be this dramatic and polished. Also, she already has the platform and resources, she doesn’t need Miss SA. https://t.co/D9u2M5C70m
— Diet Coke (@Compaqllow) April 10, 2025
As nice as the video is I feel that the substance is lacking and the paparazzi angle feels like a mismatch for the position cause Miss SA isn’t necessarily a celebrity (in the traditional sense). https://t.co/9TKHsbOBub
— Organic Fibres 🧺 (@kha1694) April 11, 2025
What I’m not doing is voting for someone who I know is using the platform for fame and benefits, looking at her instagram alone you can tell her agenda sana pic.twitter.com/U5T3NZmo9K
— Diet Coke (@Compaqllow) April 10, 2025
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