Meet the Miss SA finalists

The Miss South Africa pageant, presented by Sun International and sponsored by Cell C, will be held at Sun City on March 30.

The Top 12 come from around the country: Gauteng and the Western Cape have three each, Free State has two and the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu- Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga have one.

They are: Abigail de Jager, Mpumalanga; Anzél Stofberg, Western Cape; Caylene Marais, Gauteng; Dipalesa Mbola, Free State; Jade Hubner, Western Cape; Julia Petersen, KwaZulu-Natal; Matlala Mokoko, Limpopo; Mishka Patel, Western Cape; Rolene Strauss, Free State; Tidimalo Sehlako, Gauteng; Tshegofatso Monggae, Gauteng and Ziphozakhe Zokufa, Eastern Cape.

Their credentials are impressive. Many have completed or are studying for business degrees; one is on her way to becoming a medical doctor; one has national colours for netball; others have provincial colours for judo, water polo and horse-riding and one contestant was a professional singer for a while.

Television viewers can get to know their favourite finalist in the build-up to the crowning thanks to the reality show The Road To Miss South Africa being screened on Sunday on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) at 5.30pm.

Top 12 Miss SA finalists back row Anzel, Mishka, Rolene, Caylene, Matlala, Abigail, Ziphozakhe, Julia. Front Tshegofatso, Dipalesa, Tidimalo and Jade. Picture supplied

This “Miss South Africa boot-camp” puts the 12 through a series of challenges including filming a TV commercial for Cell C; taking part in a safari with a twist; teaching a class about the insect world; a pancake and cupcake competition and a runway show with a difference.

Alison McKie of Sun International says of this year’s finalists: “We believe we have a very strong Top 12, a group of young women who are passionate about competing and who have the intelligence and dedication to be a winner.”