Former South African Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, will join reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu of India on this year’s Miss South Africa judging panel.
The all-female judging line-up comprises of some of the country’s most respected and influential personalities including former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi (2019) and Miss World Rolene Strauss (2014) as well as award-winning investigative journalist Devi Sankaree Govender, businesswoman and Miss South Africa 1990 Suzette van der Merwe and actor and TV personality Thando Thabethe.
The Miss South Africa pageant, which takes place at Sun International’s flagship venue, the SunBet Arena at Time Square, Pretoria, promises to be a spectacular and entertainment-packed show and takes place during Women’s Month. Miss South Africa 2022 will be broadcast live on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) and Mnet (DStv Channel 101) on Saturday, August 13 from 18h30 and streamed for an international audience on the Miss South Africa app.
Meet the judges who answer questions about the pageant and what they will be looking for in a winner:
Thulisile “Thuli” Madonsela is a South African advocate and professor of law who has held a chair in social justice at Stellenbosch University since January 2018. She served as the Public Protector of South Africa from 2009 to 2016. In 1996, she helped draft the final constitution of South Africa promulgated by then President Nelson Mandela.
“I am looking for an inspirational leader who believes in the possibility of and is playing her part to build a more just world. Miss South Africa is symbol of all the beauty that makes South Africa great,” Thuli says. “She inspires hope, goodness and valour. She aspires to nourish those around her and blooms like a rose amidst the thorns. She has the ability to turn graves into gardens. I am looking for a virtuous woman who walks tall in her covenant blessings. A woman on an urgent mission. A woman who is not confined to one particular role but demonstrates the capacity to live a life filled with purpose.
Harnaaz Sandhu, who was crowned Miss Universe last December taking the crown back to India for the first time in 20 years, also joins the judging panel. She draws her inspiration from her mother who broke generations of patriarchy to become a successful gynaecologist. Deeply conscious of the privilege her mother’s struggles have gifted her, Sandhu is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, particularly their constitutional rights to education, careers and their freedom of choice. She is an actor with two Punjabi films slated for release this year.
“South Africa has been a strong contender every year at Miss Universe and it’s my true honour to meet the beautiful young women who are competing for the crown this year. I’m looking forward to learning more about their personalities and seeing them in person. I am excited to see who the new winner will be who will proudly represent her country,” she says.
Zozibini Tunzi was the third Miss South Africa to be crowned Miss Universe in 2019. Tunzi – who was one of the judges in 2020 – makes her acting debut in The Woman King which is scheduled for release later this year. The American historical epic tells the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey (in present-day Benin) in the 1800s and also stars Viola Davis and John Boyega.
“I will be looking for someone who has a unique voice and has a strong conviction in who they are and what they stand for. These are usually the people who know how to use their platform to contribute positively to humanity. They must also be sincere in their approach to the crown because this says a lot about who they will be as the reigning queen,” Zozi tells us.
Rolene Strauss was the third South African to wear the Miss World crown. She is currently chairperson of the non-profit organisation The Strauss Foundation. Strauss – who is a qualified medical doctor – received her master’s degree in Philosophy and Management Coaching (Cum Laude) at the University of Stellenbosch Business School this year, released her new book Rediscover Your Self Confidence and is a successful transformational life coach.
“A Miss South Africa to me is a well-rounded, beautiful (of course) and balanced woman. Someone who can be vulnerable, yet strong; someone who is both real and aspirational; a woman who is content with who she is yet striving to be the best version of herself; and someone who can represent our beautiful country internationally! I have judged the Miss South Africa and Miss World pageant finales in 2018,” Rolene says. “My judging criteria mainly stays the same but I get more particular regarding certain criteria as I become older and get a more objective view of what truly is important, not only in pageantry, but in life in general.
Devi Sankaree Govender is an award-winning investigative television journalist who has spent the past 29 years in the media after starting out on radio before moving to print and television. Govender, an MBA graduate, worked for Carte Blanche for 18 years and gained a reputation for being fearless in highlighting corruption and crime. She hosts The Devi Show which airs on eTV and eNCA.
When asked why she joined the judging panel this year, Devi says “Miss South Africa is not just a beauty pageant where young women rely on their physical beauty to earn a crown, win fantastic prizes and gain some fame for a year. Miss South Africa is a powerful leadership opportunity designed to arm young women with a wide range of skills and strengthen their voices, so that even when their reigns are over, those same voices can be heard, loud and clear. I can easily spot an act. That’s what nearly 30 years of investigative journalism has taught me. So, I’d like to think that I bring a large slice of reality to the table.”
After her reign as Miss South Africa in 1990, Suzette van der Merwe started a successful business career including a role managing Cell C’s women sponsorship properties which included a five-year headline sponsorship of Miss South Africa from 2014 to 2019.
“As a former Miss South Africa – combined with my five-year involvement in the Miss South Africa organising committee – I believe I am well acquainted with the selection criteria and protocols,” she says. “As a mother of a 20-year-old daughter, I humbly claim an understanding of this generation of young women. They are not scared to use their voices and not prepared to simply stand on the sidelines when it comes to important social issues. They care deeply about equality, diversity, inclusivity and body positivity. To Miss South Africa Organisation’s credit, it has adopted and represented many of these values and, as such, the winner reflects what is happening in broader society.
Finally, Thando Thabethe is an actress and radio personality. She is currently host of 94.7 Drive with Thando and has played leading lady in some of South Africa’s biggest television productions including Housekeepers, How To Ruin Christmas and Reyka. She is also the founder of Thabootys Underwear and Shapewear and a Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 graduate. Thabethe was also one of the judges who chose the Top 10 this year.
“Being a part of this incredible journey with these young women has been life changing; not only for the girls but for all involved,” Thando says. “The love and care that the Miss South Africa Organisation offers these women is simply spectacular and encourages them to be the best versions of themselves. I have seen women come in as a diamond in the rough to transform into incredible ladies who are not afraid to shine. The Miss South Africa pageant is a testament of how hard work can reap incredible results.”
