Matapa Malia - 2009 First Princess

The gorgeous Matapa Malia was crowned First Princess in the 2009 Miss South Africa Pageant. This 24 year old beauty hails from the City of Gold, Johannesburg, where she works as a Lead Logistics advisor for Sasol Oil.

Her good looks are coupled with a commitment to her community and a drive for education. Not only has Matapa received her post graduate honours in Logistics with UNISA, she has also registered with Wits University for a Leadership in Oil and Economics degree in 2010. She hopes to one day realise her dream of completing an MBA at the London School of Economics.

Some of Matapa’s greatest inspirations in life include Martin Luther King - who redefined freedom, Tyra Banks – who altered the stereotype mentality of models worldwide and Basetsana Khumalo - who rose to the challenge of her Miss SA role and took full advantage of the platform her title afforded her. Matapa has a deep respect for her mother, her greatest source of strength, who she describes as the epitome of class and elegance.

This glowing Princess has also shown a fondness for charities including POWA, Tapologo and Smiley Kids.

Follow in the inspiring footsteps of this South African beauty by finding out more about the Miss SA application process.