Africa’s next crowns are closer than ever
South Africa’s most exciting beauty and purpose pageant has revealed the 20 extraordinary women who will compete for the title of Miss African Beauty South Africa 2026 which takes place later this year.
Drawn from seven of the country’s nine provinces, this Top 20 is as diverse and accomplished as the nation they represent – PHD, Masters and law candidates, an engineer, educators, researchers, artists and entrepreneurs – united by a shared commitment to making South Africa, and Africa, a better place.
Gauteng leads the provincial count with 10 finalists, followed by Limpopo with three while Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape contribute two each and the Western Cape, North West and Kwa-Zulu Natal with one each. Their careers and fields span an impressive range: civil engineering and audiology; criminology and drama therapy; law and cancer biology; digital marketing and graphic design; property management and financial management with several founding their own non-profit organisations and community initiatives. They are, in every sense, beauty with purpose.
A number of finalists are no strangers to the pageant stage. Romanda Hombir was a Miss World South Africa runner up in 2024 while Ontshiametse Tlhopane made the Top 5 at Miss SA 2024. Bajabulise Thela was the inaugural Miss Teen Grand winner in 2021 and Casey Esmeraldo holds the Miss Culture Global Queen 2024 title.
The stakes could not be higher with South African representatives proudly flying the flag at the three most important global pageants.
- Miss Supranational 2026 takes place on July 31 at the Strzelecki Park Amphitheatre in Nowy Sącz, Poland. Reigning titleholder Eduarda Braum of Brazil will crown her successor. At the same Top 20 reveal, Shannon Benting was announced as the winner of the Miss African Beauty Miss Supranational 2026 crown and will be South Africa’s official representative.
The remaining Top 20 will now compete to see who represents the country at the other two competitions.
- Miss World 2026 is scheduled for September 5 in Vietnam, with the host nation staging the pageant for the very first time. Reigning Miss World 2025, Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand, will hand over the crown. The finalist representing this country as Miss World South Africa will be announced in July when the Top 20 is reduced to a Top 12.
- Miss Universe 2026 will mark the 75th edition of the pageant, taking place at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Reigning titleholder Fátima Bosch of Mexico will crown her successor. The winner, chosen from the final 12, will be crowned Miss African Beauty South Africa 2026 and be the country’s representative at Miss Universe.
Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala, CEO of African Beauty International and national director of Miss Supranational South Africa, is the driving force behind Miss African Beauty South Africa. A former Miss South Africa 2010 and Miss World Africa 2011 titleholder, she knows exactly what it takes to carry a crown on the world stage.
“Every single one of these women carries something rare – not just beauty, but belief. Belief that she can walk into any room in the world and make South Africa proud. When I look at these contestants, I see engineers, healers, storytellers, founders and fighters. I see women who didn’t wait to be given a platform – they built one. That is exactly the spirit Miss African Beauty South Africa was created to celebrate and amplify. South Africa is ready for her moment on the world stage. And so are they.”
The original Top 30 was selected by an exceptional judging panel. Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala led proceedings, joined by Lalela Mswane, Miss Supranational 2022, Miss South Africa 2021 and Miss Universe second runner-up 2021. South African fashion designer Juan William Aria, whose couture creations have graced the Miss Supranational and Miss Universe stages for over a decade, brought his artistic eye to the selection, as did Nomawothi Bafana, award-winning businesswoman and fitness trainer. From that acclaimed Top 30, the South African public cast their votes to determine the final 20.
The Miss African Beauty South Africa 2026 Top 20 are:
Annedernive Brown (Reiger Park, Boksburg, Gauteng); Ashleigh Alves (Bassonia, Johannesburg, Gauteng); Bajabulise Thela (Mbombela, Mpumalanga); Bongisisiwe Ndumela (Sterkspruit, Eastern Cape); Casey Esmeraldo (Vereeniging, Gauteng); Charlotte Mogotlane (Moletlane, Zebediela, Limpopo); Dominique Manuell (Eersterust, Pretoria, Gauteng); Jesmika Singh (Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal); Jessica Nel (Wierdapark, Centurion, Gauteng); Joey Roman (Bellville, Cape Town, Western Cape); Joretha Mafane (Mabocha, Burgersfort, Limpopo); Londotani Mudau (Thohoyandou, Limpopo); Musa Daweti (Salsoneville, Gqeberha, Eastern Cape); Ontshiametse Tlhopane (Protea Glen, Soweto, Gauteng); Romanda Hombir (Mbombela, Mpumalanga); Stacey-Lee April (Silverlakes, Pretoria East, Gauteng); Tiziana Devipursad (Midrand, Gauteng); Tlotlego Molefe (Rustenburg, North West); Whitney du Bruyn (Glenvista, Johannesburg, Gauteng); and Zamokuhle Vilakazi (Morningside, Sandton, Gauteng).
Meet the Miss African Beauty SA 2026 Top 20
Annedernive Brown (Age: 28 | From: Reiger Park, Boksburg, Gauteng)
Annedernive is an internal sales coordinator, model and pageant veteran who previously entered Miss SA 2025 and reached the finals of Miss Grand 2023. Born into the Khoisan community and raised in a large, close-knit family, she lost her father Clive Brown – a man she describes as her greatest adventure partner – in recent years. Her cause is poverty alleviation and community upliftment, and she believes that providing a meal restores hope and dignity. She leads with empathy, faith, and a Sunday-lunch tradition that keeps her grounded and grateful.
Ashleigh Alves (Age: 26 | From: Bassonia, Johannesburg, Gauteng)
A property and compliance specialist holding both a Bachelor’s and Honours degree from Wits University, Ashleigh is a woman of mixed heritage – Khoisan, African, European and Asian – who describes herself as a bridge-builder. Her cause is deeply personal: breast cancer early detection, sparked by her mother’s late-stage diagnosis and treatment at a public hospital. She wants to close the gap in health literacy, equipping young people and men in underserved communities with knowledge of the signs. Youngest of three sisters, she shares a special bond with her grandmother, who she describes as her twin.
Bajabulise Thela (Age: 22 | From: Kanyamazane, Mbombela, Mpumalanga)
Bajabulise is a model, qualified flight attendant and marketing graduate who made history as the first-ever Miss Teen Grand winner in 2021. The proud Swati woman from Mpumalanga is also founder of the Mambane Foundation, through which she fights malnutrition and hunger in her community. Though her dream of representing South Africa internationally has so far been out of reach, she refuses to give up on her dream of walking a global stage. She is living proof that perseverance and passion can carry you far, and she wants to use that story to inspire a generation of young South Africans to never stop believing.
Bongisisiwe Ndumela (Age: 26 | From: Sterkspruit, Eastern Cape)
An actress, visual artist and technical assistant with a BA Honours in Theatre and Performance, Bongisisiwe is currently studying Drama Therapy at Wits University. She lost her mother at four and her father at 10, and was raised by her aunt Nonstikelelo, to whom she credits everything she is today. Her passion is arts-based community therapy – using theatre and creative expression to help young people process gender-based violence, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. She has visited Italy and dreams of becoming an Oscar-winning director, collaborating with filmmakers such as Ryan Coogler and Viola Davis.
Casey Esmeraldo (Age: 22 | From: Three Rivers, Vereeniging, Gauteng)
Casey is a model, published researcher, law student and reigning Miss Culture Global Queen 2024. Daughter of a school principal mother and pastor father, she grew up across Motswana, Portuguese and South African coloured cultures, giving her a deep appreciation for unity in diversity. She founded the Elo Foundation to restore belonging and empowerment to marginalised communities, and her wildest dream is to one day become President of South Africa, not for the title, but to bridge inequality and build a sustainable, empowered nation. She leads with empathy and believes greatness already exists within people.
Charlotte Mogotlane (Age: 29 | From: Moletlane, Zebediela, Limpopo)
A civil engineer, realtor and director of The Kingdom Cares Foundation, Charlotte grew up in Limpopo after losing her father in Grade 3 and was raised by her teacher mother, who worked tirelessly to give her children every opportunity. Proudly Bapedi, she combines engineering expertise with a deep love for art, nature and sustainability, and currently lives in Bryanston, Sandton. Her cause is the sustainable transformation of orphaned children and homeless individuals through skills development, entrepreneurship and infrastructure development. She paints, grows her own vegetables and believes in creating beauty from ashes — in every sense of the phrase.
Dominique Manuell (Age: 24 | From: Eersterust, Pretoria, Gauteng)
A model, actress and Miss Unity SA 2024 winner, Dominique was appointed director of Miss Worldwide South Africa in 2025. She grew up in Eersterust, the youngest of four siblings, and brings beautifully diverse heritage – coloured, Indian and Pedi roots. Living with endometriosis, she has undergone multiple surgeries and turned her pain into a powerful platform through her NGO, Creating Space, which focuses on holistic youth development and inclusive spaces for children and young women. Her dream is to build a centre that employs and empowers people with disabilities, because to her, inclusion means opportunity, independence and dignity.
Jesmika Singh (Age: 27 | From: Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal)
A Cancer Biology PhD candidate and breast cancer awareness advocate, Jesmika has built a platform reaching over one million South Africans and has raised close to R100 000 for the cause. Born in Durban and now based in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, she lost her mother to breast cancer at a young age — a loss that redirected her entire life’s work. She has completed multiple degrees focused on improving cancer treatment outcomes and aims to bridge the gap between research, healthcare delivery and policy so that evidence-based solutions reach the people who need them. She is a powerful public speaker committed to opening doors for young South Africans.
Jessica Nel (Age: 27 │ From: Wierdapark, Centurion, Gauteng)
A social media manager, graphic design graduate, model and animal welfare advocate, Jessica holds the Miss Earth SA 2024 title. The youngest of four siblings in a bilingual Afrikaans-English family from Centurion, she grew up with a deep love for animals instilled by her parents. She actively volunteers with Place a Pup, an organisation that rescues animals from rural areas, rehabilitates them and places them in loving homes. Her cause is animal welfare — particularly in rural and under-resourced communities where animals lack access to basic care, veterinary support and protection. She believes that long-term change requires not only rescue, but education, sterilisation drives and partnership with organisations already doing vital work on the ground.
Joey Roman (Age: 23 | From: Bellville, Cape Town, Western Cape)
A debtors clerk with a Diploma in Financial Management, Joey grew up in Delft South in a household where her father assembled a computer from spare parts to help their community access the internet and submit job and college applications. That spirit of giving back through technology is at the core of her platform, and she dreams of establishing an internet café in every Cape Flats suburb. A Khoisan descendant and daughter of a tribal chief, she also lost her sister to breast cancer in October 2023. A youth leader and dance leader, she competes not just for herself, but for every young South African who came from nothing.
Joretha Mafane (Age: 29 | From: Mabocha, Burgersfort, Limpopo)
A Metallurgical Engineering Master’s candidate and passionate mental health advocate, Joretha is shaped by resilience, authenticity and the unwavering strength of the women in her life including her 98-year-old maternal grandmother. Currently residing in Mooinooi in the North West, she is the eldest of four and has chosen to carry her mother’s surname, Mafane, as a testament to the identity that raised her. Her cause is substance abuse and mental health awareness – issues she has seen silently devastate young people and communities. She believes asking for help is not weakness, and she wants every person to feel seen, understood and hopeful. Joretha will be representing this country as Miss Supranational South Africa 2026 at the prestigious pageant which takes place in Poland next month.
Londotani Mudau (Age: 24 | From: Thohoyandou, Limpopo)
A teacher pursuing a Master’s degree at the University of Pretoria, Londotani is also the founder of the Blue Door initiative, a grassroots safety programme that identifies and vets homes and shops in townships and villages to serve as sanctuaries for women and children fleeing danger. Currently based in Cullinan, she is a survivor of sexual assault who has channelled her lived experience into a fierce commitment to eradicating gender-based violence and youth unemployment. A proud Venda woman and self-confessed “final boss of all overthinkers”, she dreams of an all-women leadership era in South Africa and brings both personal courage and practical vision to her advocacy.
Musa Daweti (Age: 22 | From: Salsoneville, Gqeberha, Eastern Cape)
Musa holds a Diploma in Management and is pursuing an Advanced Diploma in Financial Management. Growing up in Gqeberha in a family shaped by both Xhosa and Coloured cultural influences, she developed a deep appreciation for diversity and the power of education to transform lives. Her cause is accessible education – she is a passionate advocate for the students who fall through the financial cracks of South Africa’s higher education system, and she wants to be the kind of leader who ensures no one loses their future simply because they cannot afford it. Driven, resilient and purposeful, she believes the journey matters as much as the destination.
Ontshiametse Tlhopane (Age: 25 | From: Protea Glen, Soweto, Gauteng)
A Criminology Master’s candidate who placed in the Top 5 at Miss South Africa 2024, Ontshiametse is no stranger to high-pressure stages. She founded #safehere, an initiative that gives children in marginalised communities positive experiences and stimulation to broaden their view of what is possible and reduce environmental contributions to criminality. Born and raised in Soweto, she is the only daughter of both her parents and was shaped by crossing into different worlds at school, an experience that showed her the transformative power of exposure. She leads with accountability, integrity and deep empathy, and believes quality education should be the great equaliser.
Romanda Hombir (Age: 27 | From: Kanyamazane, Mbombela, Mpumalanga)
Romanda made the world take notice when she was crowned second runner-up at Miss World South Africa 2024. An audiologist, motivational speaker and model, she is also the founder of the Caring Purpose Foundation, which delivers literacy programmes, nutrition interventions, mobile health screenings and skills training to children and communities in need. Of Swati, Zulu and German heritage, she also advocates fiercely for women living with endometriosis, PCOS and fibroids. Now based in Faerie Glen, Pretoria, her dream is to work with the United Nations on healthcare, education and nutrition access.
Stacey-Lee April (Age: 26 | From: Silverlakes, Pretoria East, Gauteng)
A Public Management and International Relations graduate, Stacey-Lee is the founder of the Hope Again Foundation, which works to restore hope, stability and opportunity for orphaned and vulnerable children. Growing up in a family that fostered children and opened their home to those in need, she saw first-hand how love, consistency and belonging can change a child’s trajectory. Of diverse heritage — German, Chinese and Coloured South African roots — she leads with kindness and resilience and believes every child deserves a safe home and a fair future. She is also passionate about supporting young mothers so they are empowered, not judged, in their most vulnerable moments.
Tiziana Devipursad (Age: 31 | From: Midrand, Gauteng)
A graphic designer and fitness and lifestyle content creator based in Midrand, Tiziana brings creative flair, cultural warmth and a global perspective to the Miss African Beauty stage. Of Indian heritage, she grew up in a home where Sunday mutton breyani was a weekly event that brought the whole family together — and that spirit of togetherness is at the heart of her cause: food access and community connection. She has travelled widely, including to Singapore, and believes that ensuring people have access to food is ultimately about restoring dignity, community and hope. Her wildest dream is to own her own plane and prove there are no limits to how far one can go.
Tlotlego Molefe (Age: 26 | From: Rustenburg, North West)
An internal auditor and passionate youth empowerment advocate, Tlotlego grew up in her grandmother’s home in Rustenburg, surrounded by a houseful of women, love and warmth. Now based in Morningside, Sandton, she navigated spaces like the University of Pretoria and understands how transformative a single opportunity can be. Her work centres on mentorship, leadership development and career exposure, particularly for young people in underserved communities. Naturally witty, bubbly and creative, she believes that dreaming without access becomes frustration — and she is committed to building pathways that turn potential into real, measurable impact.
Whitney Du Bruyn (Age: 32 | From: Glenvista, Johannesburg, Gauteng)
An entrepreneur, professional dancer and founder of décor company Tied With A Knot, Whitney is one of the competition’s most experienced and resilient contestants. She overcame a serious health crisis in which doctors told her she would spend the rest of her life on multiple medications, a prognosis she refused to accept. A South African of English and Afrikaans heritage, her cause is feeding the hungry and uplifting others through her own story of overcoming adversity. She believes that a full stomach gives you the strength to face another day, and that kindness, opportunity and feeling heard can completely change the direction of someone’s life.
Zamokuhle Vilakazi (Age: 27 | From: Morningside, Sandton, Gauteng)
A digital marketing professional and founder of the Okuhle Collab, Zamokuhle was raised by her grandparents and carries her Swati heritage – rooted in humility, ubuntu and grace – into every room she enters. Her cause is digital inclusion: she partners with Sebenza Free Wi-Fi to bring internet access to commuters at taxi ranks, turning connectivity into a gateway for job portals, education and economic opportunity. A lover of theatre who dreams of Broadway, she also envisions launching her own marketing agency that collaborates with global brands on campaigns that do real good. She believes when the spirit is aligned and peaceful, everything else falls into place.
About African Beauty International (ABI)
African Beauty International (ABI) is a South African pageant management company founded by businesswoman, entrepreneur and former Miss South Africa and Miss World Africa titleholder Bokang Montjane–Tshabalala. ABI holds the national franchise rights to three of the world’s most prestigious international beauty competitions – Miss Universe South Africa, Miss World South Africa and Miss Supranational South Africa – making it the sole South African organisation responsible for selecting and preparing the country’s representatives to the Big Three of global pageantry. Driven by a commitment to excellence, strategic preparation and long–term investment in South African women, ABI is dedicated to ensuring that South Africa is not merely represented on the world stage, but positioned to win. The organisation runs the Miss African Beauty South Africa pageant, which narrows down to top 30 regional contestants who compete for the ultimate international crowns.
Connect with African Beauty International on Instagram.
