Q&A with Kojo Baffoe

We sat down with one of the judges, Kojo Baffoe, to find out what he’s looking for in the next Miss SA.

Q: Why did you decide to become a Miss SA judge?

Kojo: I took a step back from the prejudice against beauty pageants, gleaned insight into how this competition could be a launching platform for young women and found it made complete sense. Also, I also bring a very different perspective and point of view to the Miss SA competition.

Q: Do you like pageants? What other beauty pageants do you follow?

Kojo: In the 80s and 90s, I religiously watched pageants. They’re addictive, like watching reality TV. You pick your favourite and see how far they get.

Q: How do you think modern entrants have changed? Remember when all the girls wanted world peace?

Kojo: In the two years that I have been involved with Miss SA I have found the young entrants intelligent, driven and compassionate. They have much to offer the world.

Q: Do you think entering Miss South Africa is empowering for young women? Is it a launching pad?

Kojo: I think that if the platform is not used as a springboard, it is wasted. It allows the young women a foot in the door of powerful places and access to powerful people. The platform is as empowering as one uses it.

Q: What do you look for in the entrants?
Kojo: Intelligence, maturity, the ability to be comfortable with people across all levels of society. Authenticity and empathy are critical for women. All the young women are beautiful so I take that out of the equation, especially when it comes to the last twelve.

Q: The concept of nudity has changed so much in recent times. We see celebrities on red carpets who are practically naked. Has this trend softened the criticism usually leveled at the swimsuit segment of the completion?

Kojo: I asked Rolene Strauss what she thought of the swimsuit segment and I loved her response. She said she was comfortable with herself and her body and so really refused to focus on the idea of objectification. We must remember, too, that the Miss SA contest is also about being fit and living a healthy lifestyle.

Q: Who do you think epitomizes beauty? Who’s your most beautiful woman ever?

Kojo: Beauty is a subjective thing. True beauty is amplified by the spirit of a woman, by her intellect, by her heart, her passion.

Miss SA auditions:

*The third regional judging session takes place in the Ballroom at The Maslow, in Sandton, on August 22 and 23.
*The final regional judging session takes place in Kwa-Zulu Natal in the Imbizo, at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom, on September 5.