Naledi Matlakala Voted Out of Crown Chasers

Naledi Matlakala is second Miss South Africa contestant voted out of Crown Chasers

Naledi Matlakala is the second contestant to be voted out of Crown Chasers, the behind-the-scenes Miss South Africa television series broadcast on S3.

In a celebration of natural beauty and finding their worth, the Top 15 took part in a L’Oréal Paris mini-challenge that put their hair, makeup and skincare routine to the test. They took to the stage with an inspirational TED Talk and let their natural beauty shine through in a photoshoot challenge.

Resident judges Leandie du Randt and Lerato Kganyago were joined by celebrity judge Nontando Mposo, Editor-in-Chief of Glamour South Africa.

Overall winner for the second week running was Nompumelelo Maduna.

Says Matlakala (24), who is pursuing her B Com Law at Unisa:

“My Miss South Africa journey was simply transformative. It was not always comfortable or easy, but it offered such immense growth within a short space of time. It was a wild ride to be involved and I am deeply grateful that I had such a privileged opportunity to be part of the process.”

“Crown Chasers is a whole different aspect to the Miss South Africa search, and I’d often joke to the other contestants that this crown really is a chase. It needs stamina, breath control and energy, just like one would need in an actual chase or marathon. I loved Crown Chasers HQ so much, from the glam squad in the glam room to all the creatives involved in the show who I grew to adore so much!”

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. Tickets available now through Ticketpros.

What were the best and hardest things that happened during the journey?

The best part were the Top 30 and Top 25 judging rounds and the liberation I felt in meeting the judges and expressing myself to them. Also, leading my team to victory as the team captain in the cooking challenge, which made me feel great about accessing my leadership nature and how it improved my morale within the competition precisely when I needed it. The worst thing was when I had an anxiety attack days ahead of Crown Chasers. The days following that experience – in such a pressured environment – were really tough.

Would you do it all over again?

Absolutely! There is something about being audacious enough to go after your dreams that exposes you to the qualities you carry within yourself that you may not have known existed. This has encouraged me to be bold and embrace every ambition I dare to hold.

What did you learn about yourself?

That I am capable of doing hard things. I also learned that I am beautiful. My struggles of body image and dysmorphia were not only being challenged but also in the process of being conquered, and I now find myself not only aware of my beauty, but in better understanding of it.

What is your message to the remaining Miss South Africa contestants?

I am so proud of them all! They each bring something so distinctively unique, informed and special to the table and I am honoured to have sat on that table with each and every one of them.

What next for you?

While I continue with my BCom Law studies ahead of enrolling for a PDBA, I also intend to continue being the champion for literacy (for both the young and old), gender and sexuality rights, and mental health and rehabilitation, while using information to actualise transformation within these missions. Through thi I wish to relaunch the literacy campaign I started when I was 18 (Tlhalefang) into an all-encompassing campaign that communicates the pertinence of what being informed and being aware can do to improve one’s quality of life and agency and ultimately using the activation of that information to heal South African homes entirely.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I have so grateful to the Miss South Africa Organisation. Thank you for choosing me to a part of it all; it is that choice that will go on to help define the rest of my life.

The Top 14 are: Chidimma Adetshina, Kebalepile Ramafoko, Kirsten Khan, Layla Zoubair, Lebohang Khoza, Lethaukuthula Maseko, Mia Le Roux, Nobuhle Langa, Nolene Spinks, Nompumelelo Maduna, Onalenna Constantin, Ontshiametse Tlhopane, Palesa Lombard and Taahira Katz.

The fourth episode of Crown Chasers will be broadcast on S3 on Saturday, July 20, at 20h30 with a repeat on Sunday, July 21, at 13h00. In this instalment, the Chasers’ business acumen and potential to be a brand ambassador are put to the test when they get the opportunity to showcase their ability to style a versatile wardrobe for a day in the life of a Miss South Africa. The main challenge raises the bar when the contestants find themselves creating, designing and developing a capsule collection and business strategy for Forever New. Guest judge is Londeka Buthelezi Ndaba, an entrepreneur, budding property mogul and creative designer and owner of Dream Fashion.

Discover who will be progressing to Episode 4 and ultimately who will take the crown from the current incumbent Natasha Joubert. Don’t miss it; it is compulsive viewing.

Crown Chasers is broadcast on S3 (formerly SABC 3) on Saturdays at 20h30 with repeats on Sundays at 13:00. Full episodes will also be available on the Miss South Africa App.

General access tickets for the Miss South Africa Finale are on sale at Ticketpro, the Miss South Africa website and the Miss South Africa app from R275.

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