The top 12 finalists for Miss South Africa 2018 were unveiled at the Maslow Time Square Hotel on Thursday.
Master of ceremonies for the day actor Zweli Dube said the nationwide search for the crème de la crème was a tremendous journey.
Sun Arena in Time Square was announced as the new home for Miss South Africa pageants.
This year marks 60 years since the pageant was founded.
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To celebrate the 60th anniversary, things are being done with a twist in the old format.
The tradition was for the top 12 finalists to be reduced to five in the final on pageant night.
A second princess was then announced, followed by a first princess and then the winner.
This year, following the cut to the top five finalists, the organisers would go straight to a top two announcement, said Sun International event executive Gareth Flusk.
“One of the pair will be named Miss World South Africa and one will receive the title of Miss Universe South Africa,” he said.
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“Both will go on to represent South Africa on the global stage in each respective competition,”
As there could be only one reigning Miss South Africa, the two winners would be asked a final question by the judges.
“Their answers will determine who is crowned as the official Miss South Africa 2018,” said Flusk.
The top 12 finalists would each receive a prize package valued at R180 000
Representing Pretoria, was 25-year-old Anzelle von Staden from Irene, Centurion.
She has a B Comm degree from the University of Pretoria and is currently a full-time model.
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“I lost a person close to me who was like my second mother from breast cancer. If I win the Miss SA title I will use the brand to raise awareness and sponsorship,” she said.
Van Staden comes from a large close-knit family and is the youngest of 15 grandchildren.
Her dream is to meet tennis legend Billie Jean King.
Other finalists are Akile Khoza (23) from Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga, Bryoni Govender (21) from Kempton Park, Daniellé de Jager (20) from Benoni, Karishma Ramdev (23) from Chatsworth, KwaZulu Natal, Margo Fargo (25) from Heidedal near Bloemfontein, Noxolo Ndebele (25) from KwaNongoma in Kwazulu-Natal, Tamarin Bensch (25) from Bedfordview, Tamaryn Green (23) from Paarl, Thandokazi Mfundisi (24) from East London, Tharina Botes (21) from Roodepoort and Thulisa Keyi (26) from Mdantsane in East London.
The event was attended by some former Miss SA title holders and local celebrities.
Miss South Africa 2018 will take place on 27 May at Sun Arena and will be screened live on Mnet and Mzansi Magic at 17:00.
South African television personality and businesswoman Bonang Matheba will be the host.
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