WATCH: ‘Social media followers have no significance’ — Miss SA as familiar names enter pageant

Part of the process of entering the Miss South Africa pageant is submitting an entry video on one’s social media accounts.

On the surface, there seems to be nothing wrong with this, but doesn’t this give an advantage to hopeful entrants who have many social media followers?

When doing a quick search on any social media platform using the Miss SA 2025 hashtag, videos of young women putting their best foot forward for the pageant pop up.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mulisa Sponono Mudau (@mulisamudau_)

However, because of social media algorithms and user behaviour, different platforms inevitably prioritise some videos.

ALSO READ: ‘No height or weight limits’ as entries open for Miss SA 2025

Impact of many followers

A person with many followers will be the first that people come across.

On Wednesday, former Outlaws actress Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku entered the competition by posting her video to her just below 50 000 followers on TikTok.

@nirvananokwe Hello South Africa! 🇿🇦 ❤️ #MissSA2025 A new day is emerging for South Africa, where our nation builds again. Marked by transformative changes in Sports, Arts & Culture. These sectors will evolve to benefit all stakeholders, while humanities like philosophy, indigenous healing, and contemporary modalities will be made accessible, contextual, and safe through Sports, Arts & Culture. @Official_MissSA @Crown_chasers Let’s goooo 🚀❤️ #fyp #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #fypシ゚ ♬ original sound – Nirvana Nokwe

Actress and broadcaster Mulisa Mudau is another entrant with just over 10 000 followers on Instagram and nearly 65 000 followers on her TikTok account. Mudau has also appeared on SABC 2 Muvhango.

This observation is not an attack on the abovementioned ladies, but young women with the most followers are getting more traction from the general public.

According to Stephanie Weil, CEO of the Miss SA organisation, a person like Patliso Motlhontlhon, a hopeful Miss SA contestant from Kuruman in the Northern Cape, whose 696 followers on TikTok seem tiny compared to her competitors, might have a chance at making the cut.

@lisow.m Nothing ever grows in a place of comfortability so allow me to step out of my comfort zone and be bold and courageous. South Africa let me introduce myself. @official_misssouthafrica #misssa2025 #crownchasers #southafricatiktok🇿🇦 #trendingvideo ♬ original sound – Lisow.M

“The Miss South Africa Organisation judges each entrant on their own merits. The amount of followers an entrant has on social media has no significance,” Weil told The Citizen.

Not becoming a popularity contest

Weil said Miss SA is a leadership platform for ambitious young South African women — a point driven home by the accomplishments of nearly all the entrants that have posted videos on social media.

“Miss South Africa is a role model who has a powerful voice that captivates and draws people in. Her physical and emotional strength underpins her grit, commitment and resilience,” shared Weil.

So what if a person has good standing in society and still has a strong command regarding the popularity contest?

Another hopeful contestant whose social media audition video has resonated with the public is speech therapist and author Qhawe Mazaleni.

@qhawemazaleni I am stepping into my power as an advocate for inclusive education and linguistic inclusion. Many of you have been witnesses to my journey as a speech therapist and creating meaningful change. From committed efforts to learning an entirely new language to serve my patients, to recently self-publishing my first Xhosa Children’s book. South Africa has one of the largest illiteracy crises in the world which has an inevitable impact on our unemployment rates. My heart’s intent with the Miss South Africa platform is to ensure increased access to books and resources tailored to various languages and cultures. Children deserve to see themselves represented in books which foster a love for learning. I look forward to serving my country 🤍 Enkosi @official_misssouthafrica @Official Crown Chasers 👑 #FaceYourPower #EmbraceYourFuture #MissSA2025 ♬ original sound – Qhawe Mazaleni 🦋

She is also the younger sister of the 2023 Miss SA top-five contestant Homba Mazaleni.

“There is nothing in the Miss South Africa rules that precludes any one working in the entertainment industry from participating,” Weil said.

@melindakorb3 MISS SOUTH AFRICA 2025 ENTRY VIDEO – #MissSA2025 #crownchasers I’m stepping into my purpose with passion and power. This journey is for every mother who deserves to be heard, supported, and uplifted. The future is nurtured by empowered women. 🩷 @official_misssouthafrica @Official Crown Chasers 👑 ♬ original sound – Melinda Korb

The CEO said the organisation has received an overwhelming response to this year’s Miss SA entries.

“We are delighted with the response to date. However, we only start vetting and evaluating entrants once entries have closed.”

Entries opened on the second of April and will close on Friday, April 11, at 6pm. “We will announce the qualifying contestants at a date to be confirmed,” said Weil

NOW READ: Basketball player LeBron James enters the Barbie universe as Ken doll