The Miss South Africa 2024 Top 16 Announced

Miss South Africa 2024 Top 16 Announced

This year’s Top 16 Miss South Africa 2024 contestants were revealed at the end of the first episode of the six-part reality TV show Crown Chasers which is broadcast weekly on S3.

The Top 16 are: Chidimma Adetshina, Kebalepile Ramafoko, Kirsten Khan, Layla Zoubair, Lebohang Khoza, Lethaukuthula Maseko, Mia Le Roux, Naledi Matlakala, Nobuhle Langa, Nolene Spinks, Nompumelelo Maduna, Onalenna Constantin, Ontshiametse Tlhopane, Palesa Lombard, Reinette Potgieter and Taahira Katz.

The contestants represent six provinces – Gauteng has nine (including four from Soweto), followed by Mpumalanga with three and the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, North West and Western Cape with one each.

The 2024 winner will be crowned at Sun International’s flagship venue, the SunBet Arena at Time Square, Pretoria on Saturday, August 10, in what promises to be a spectacular and entertainment-packed show that will, once again fittingly, take place during Women’s Month.

The Miss South Africa 2024 Top 16 finalists are (in alphabetical order):

Chidimma Adetshina (23) from Pimville in Soweto, Gauteng, is a model, netball player and a Bachelor of Law student at Varsity College. She is passionate about sports and advocating for change on violence against woman and children and gender-based violence. She describes herself as ambitious, confident and optimistic. Her motto is “dreams are valid when actions are taken.”

Kebalepile Ramafoko (25), is from Emalahleni, Mpumalanga. She has a BA in Psychology and Languages and is currently pursuing her Honours Degree. She is also a skills development facilitator and is passionate about sports and youth empowerment. She strives to create equal opportunities for all, believing that sports can transform lives and build stronger communities. She describes herself as a determined, welcoming and fun-loving individual who enjoys making people laugh and showing up for others.

Kirsten Khan (26), from Roodepoort, Gauteng, is a model and has completed her studies for a diploma in architectural draughting from Damelin College. She describes herself as a compassionate, open minded and resilient person who handles herself and others with grace. She is passionate about mental health and believes the youth should be given the opportunity to be seen, heard and to pursue their dreams.

Layla Zoubair (29) is from Kempton Park in Gauteng and is an outgoing and outspoken individual who thrives on challenges and exploring. She says she constantly seeks to push her boundaries and discover new things, driven by her inquisitive nature. Her curiosity fuels her passion for learning and growth, making every day an opportunity for new experiences and personal development. Whether trying new activities or engaging in meaningful conversations, she embraces life’s adventures wholeheartedly.

Lebohang Khoza (27) comes from Maritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, and is an educator of the performing arts. She is a choreographer and actor and has a BA degree in Performing Arts from the University of KwaZulu Natal. She is passionate and open minded and would love to elevate the spaces of education by introducing the element of performing arts therapy.

Lethaukuthula Maseko (24), aka the “Diamond From Daveyton”, describes herself as a beacon of hope and resilience. Raised in Daveyton, Gauteng, she says she has transformed the pressures of her surroundings into a brilliant strength and that her story is a testament to the power of self-authorship; proving that one’s circumstances do not dictate their destiny. She says she shines bright, illuminating a path for others to forge their own paths and sparkle in their own unique way.

Mia le Roux (28) was raised in Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape and lives in Rosebank in Cape Town. She is a marketing manager, model and part-time B Com Marketing student. She was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one and says her community rallied behind her to give her the gift of hearing; inspiring her desire to make a positive impact and break barriers. She describes herself as resilient, dedicated, graceful and kind.

Naledi Matlakala (24), from Midrand in Gauteng, is a B Com Law student with a BA (Psychology and Criminology) from the University of Pretoria. She describes herself as a highly spirited soul with a mission of “Information IS Transformation” and is committed to ensuring that this information (plus resources) is activated within South African communities through an accessible, inclusive and relevant approach.

Nobuhle Langa (26), from Emalahleni in Mpumalanga, is an audit trainee aiming to register as a Chartered Accountant. She is the founder of the Langelihle Youth Foundation, has a Bachelor of Accounting Science from Wits University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy from IAS (Institute of Accounting Science). She describes herself as resilient, graceful, fearless and she would love to meet Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, to discuss ways for citizens to give back to society.

Nolene Spinks (23) is representing Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. She says she dreams big, works hard and rests very little. She is currently working as a Montessori pre-school teacher. Her life’s goal is not only to live, but to live boldly, giving hope to others and helping where she can. She recently launched her first solo single Hou Bene Hou and aims to release her next song later this year.

Nompumelelo Maduna (29), from Rockville in Soweto, is a marketer by profession, pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Johannesburg. She is also a saxophonist in the making. She describes herself as a soul that is generous, goal driven, hardworking and kind. “One day I want to perform in an orchestra in honour of my father who loved music,” she says. Maduna was in the Miss South Africa Top 3 in 2019.

Onalenna Constantin (26), from Potchefstroom in North West, has many talents. She is a model, a law student, entrepreneur and content creator. She wants to inspire through her story that epitomises resilience and grace. She describes herself as an unwavering woman. She would love to meet policy makers regarding the dire need for social workers in every school to ensure social justice for women and children.

Ontshiametse Tlhopane is a 23 year old aspiring model from Protea Glen, Soweto. She has qualifications in criminology inspired by her curiosity about why crime is committed. She is also the founder of #SafeHere, an organisation she plans to use to positively impact the lives of children. Friendly, kind and empathetic are words used to describe her character. She believes that everyone deserves opportunities and resources to pursue greatness.

Palesa Lombard (25) is from Waverley in Johannesburg and says that she has always been a dynamic, high-achieving individual. She is a final year medical student interested in neurological pathologies. She speaks fluent English and French, while having a comprehensive understanding of Afrikaans, isiZulu and Sesotho. She loves to balance her creative, artistic abilities with her deep interests in science, achieved through biomedical science studies, creating artwork and being a professional model part-time.

Reinette Potgieter, aged 26, lives in Morningside in Sandton although she hails from Trichardt in Mpumalanga. She has attained a B Ed Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching degree from the University of Pretoria. Currently, she is fully committed to her teaching profession. Describing herself as timeless, she endeavours to exemplify the grace and poise reminiscent of the late Princess Diana. She sees the youth as catalysts for societal change, inspiring progress and innovation.

Taahira Katz (25) is from Nancefield in Soweto and has a degree in Social Science. She has travelled the world as an international model and has a passion for learning and engaging in new experiences. She would like to work with an organisation that focuses on the crisis around mental health.

Discover who will be progressing to Episode 2 and ultimately who will take the crown from the current incumbent Natasha Joubert. Don’t miss it; it is compulsive viewing.

Crown Chasers starts on S3 (formerly SABC 3) on Saturday, 29 June 2024 at 20h30 with repeats on Sundays at 13:00. Full episodes will also be available on the Miss SA App.

Miss South Africa is presented by Weil Entertainment in association with Sun International. SABC3 is the official broadcast partner.