All throughout this long quarantine period, I have taken special interest in the Miss South Africa 2020 contest and how the process went about in selecting the Top 35 ladies who were later assessed more intensively to come up with less than half of that number as Semifinalists.

Creative Director Werner Wessels could not have explained it any clearer. He is looking for the South African woman who does not envision to start and end her journey with just winning the national crown or the bigger Miss Universe title. The organization will provide the tools and the network to carry her further in life and become successful in future career endeavors. True, Miss South Africa is a job. But it is a one-year job that should open many windows of opportunity. And he clearly sums up everything below.

INTRODUCING MISS SOUTH AFRICA

Miss South Africa is a leadership platform for ambitious young South African women. Through a pageantry process, contestants receive world-renowned coaching in addition to advanced networking, business and life skills. 

Shaped into brand ambassadors for our country, they become champions of women’s rights, thought leaders and savvy career women who inspire other young South Africans to fulfil their potential, recognise their self-worth and find their place in the world.

A PLATFORM FOR CHANGE

Miss South Africa is not a once-off event; we are a powerful organisation, a leading voice on female empowerment and a launchpad for much-needed social change.

Below is a clip of the screening process of the Top 35 before they were trimmed down to the 15 Semifinalists. Keep an eye on Werner Wessels who was seated behind the panel (composed of Liesl Laurie, Bokang Montjane, Ade van Heerden and Anele Mdoda) taking down notes. He was not asking the questions but I am pretty sure that he is a keeping a sharp eye on the contestants being video-interviewed.

I have asked several trusted pageant friends, and they are one in saying that Miss South Africa 2020 is poised to achieve a rare back-to-back glory in Miss Universe. They could have even built an even rarer three-peat if not for the victory of Catriona Gray last 2018. Just imagine if Tamaryn Green was the winner in Bangkok, Thailand.

All things considered, the ideals of the Miss South Africa Organization can be the blueprint for other national competitions in selecting their winners, and without sacrificing the entertainment value of a beauty pageant at that. It focuses on the strength of a woman to face her power and embrace the future. No big words. Just bold catchphrases that can motivate any ambitious young woman.