Liesl Laurie, Tamaryn Green, and Rolene Strauss want YOU to enter Miss SA

Five former Miss South Africa winners have launched Miss South Africa 2019, which will take place on Women’s Day. It is set to transform the life of the person who takes the crown.

There’s nearly R3-million in prize money and sponsorships for this year’s glittering pageant. The winner will walk away with R1-million in cash, as well as a car and other fabulous prizes. The runner-up takes home R250,000 in cash, while all Top 16 finalists will receive R25,000.

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The five who will welcome our newest African queen to an exclusive sisterhood are Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala (Miss South Africa 2010); Rolene Strauss (Miss South Africa & Miss World 2014); Liesl Laurie (Miss South Africa 2015); Ntando Kunene-Mthethwa (Miss South Africa 2016), and current Miss South Africa, Tamaryn Green.

Strauss says: “Miss South Africa is the ultimate movement towards women empowerment. The platform creates opportunities for so many; from finalists to Miss South Africas and ultimately international participants. The growth I experienced as Miss South Africa did not only lead to the wonderful honour of winning Miss World but it also assisted me in surviving medical school when I went back to studying once my reign was over. This is a once-in-a-lifetime learning and life-changing opportunity.”

Her view is echoed by Laurie: “The moment my name was announced as Miss South Africa 2015 my life changed forever. A girl’s lifelong dream came true and the following day a woman's reality began. It was a reality where the most magical Cinderella story started - from Eldorado Park to the world! My reign as Miss SA will always be one of the most important chapters of my life and that of many people from my township. My legacy is that I will forever be a beacon of hope for Eldorado Park and many townships in this country.”

Kunene-Mthethwa adds: “Laying down your truth in front of millions of people isn't easy. Being Miss South Africa gives you that confidence to publicly embrace who you are, flaws and all. The pageant being held on such a significant date on August 9 reiterates the role of women in society who shape the future through their chosen field of passion. Just like in 1956 when more than 20 000 women staged a march on the Union Buildings in Pretoria, to protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act, it’s a powerful celebration of women from different races and backgrounds coming together.”

The last word goes to current Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green: “This platform has empowered me, not only as a young South African wanting to make a difference in her community but as a medical student and also as a woman. It’s not lost on me that a new Miss South Africa will be crowned on Women’s Day. Miss South Africa has been an integral part of the female South African story and how we as women are taking our place in society and championing the causes of our fellow women and the generations to follow us. I personally cannot wait to welcome a new woman into this illustrious sisterhood.”

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The 2019 Miss South Africa pageant will be held at Sun International’s flagship venue, the Sun Arena at Times Square, Pretoria, and will be aired live on both M-Net and Mzanzi Magic.

Entries open on Monday (May 13) at 9am and close on June 10. Enter at www.misssa.co.za. The sixteen finalists will be announced on July 11.

The Miss South Africa Organisation has launched a spectacular Miss South Africa Light Up Your Dreams media campaign, with the Big 5 falling under the following taglines:

From Limpopo to leading South Africa (Montjane-Tshabalala)

From Mkhondo to mentor (Kunene-Mthethwa)

From Eldos to an empire (Laurie)

From Volksrust to the world (Strauss)

And from university to the universe (Green)

Light up your dreams

The person who wins this year’s crown has big footsteps to follow in, as Miss South Africa has had a spectacular few years on the international stage. Green was runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant last year, while the Miss South Africa Organisation has also produced a Miss World (Rolene Strauss) and a Miss Universe (Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters) in three years.

 Miss South Africa is presented by Weil Entertainment in association with Sun International.