South Africa’s treasure is the national costume

ONE of the highlights at the Miss Universe pageant is the national costume preliminary round, usually held a few days before the main event.

The Miss SA organisation earlier this week held a glitzy, intimate farewell function for our reigning queen, Ndavi Nokeri at the Maslow in Sandton, where she revealed her national costume for the 71st Miss Universe pageant.

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Paying homage to her heritage, the costume represents her Tsonga culture.

“My national costume and gowns are spectacular and everything I could have dreamed of to feel confident on the Miss Universe stage,” said Ndavi.

“I am delighted that my national costume incorporates my Tsonga culture.

“From the beginning of my Miss South Africa journey, I wanted people to know that I was standing for Tsonga people because growing up as a child, I felt as if we were under-represented.

“At the same time, we’ve incorporated the fact that I’m South African and African; this is so beautiful because I’ve come to learn that, as Africans, we are more alike than we are different, thanks to our shared experiences and values.

“It is a proud moment for me to make all Africans feel seen, understood and represented,” said Miss SA Ndavi Nokeri.

In previous years, each national costume has been symbolic of South African culture, indigenous plants, animals or cultural symbols.

Here are a few national costumes that were show-stoppers on the Miss Universe stage.

The Protea

National Bird

A symbol of the voiceless 

An advocate for world peace

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