Meet the Top 30 contestants vying for the title of Miss South Africa 2022 and vote for your favourite to make it into the Top 10.
The 30 hopefuls are an impressive and diverse group and include an estate agent, a corporate lawyer, a veterinarian, a forensic science graduate, teachers, models, entrepreneurs and law students. They come from all over South Africa with Gauteng leading the field with 13 contestants (with three from Soweto and two from Tshwane); the Western Cape has five; KwaZulu Natal has four; the Eastern Cape is represented by three women; the Free State has two as has the North West and there is one from Limpopo.
For the next few weeks, the women will be out to impress this year’s Top 30 judges who are radio presenter and personality and Miss South Africa 2015 Liesl Laurie, body positive activist Tracey-Lee Lusty Horwitz, Dentsu CEO Koo Govender, fashion designer Khosi Nkosi, True Love Editor-in-Chief, Makhosazana Zwane-Siguqa, actor Simoné Nortmann and actor and TV personality Thando Thabethe.
The Top 10, who will go through to the finals, will be announced on June 13 via the Miss South Africa App which can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play store.
The Top 30 in alphabetical order are:
Alyssa Smith (24), from Maritzburg in KwaZulu Natal, is a corporate lawyer, specialising in private equity fund formation. She studied at the University of the Free State and Varsity College and graduated with an LLB Law Degree summa cum laude. Alyssa lists dancing, travelling, poetry, mentoring and drinking lots of tea as the things she loves in life.
Anarzade Omar (23) is from Crown Gardens, Johannesburg, Gauteng. She has a BA in Strategic Communication in Marketing from the University of Johannesburg and works as a Social Media Manager at a digital marketing agency. She also runs a small online sushi business which she launched during the COVID-19 lockdown and admits to being an intro-extrovert with the worst dad jokes.
Ayanda Thabethe (22) is from Maritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. She is currently pursuing a degree in dietetics and human nutrition. She says she only ever watches three TV channels – Cartoon Network, The Food Network and eNCA and sometimes pretends she has her own cooking show when she’s alone in the kitchen.
Ayanda Tloti (24) hails from Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape and is representing that province although she currently lives in Johannesburg. She has a Bachelor of Technology in Fine Art and has had the opportunity to hold exhibitions at museums and art galleries. She loves film, songwriting and has a passion for inspiring women to excel in self-mastery.
Bethany Damonse (24) comes from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape – and is representing that province – but is currently doing her community service year as a veterinarian in Pretoria. She enjoys the variety that life has to offer and is an inquisitive person always seeking out new recipes or hiking routes. Her dream is to use natural resources and innovative ideas to make sustainable development goals more achievable for all and create a healthier environment.
Bianca Bezuidenhout (23) is from Cape Town in the Western Cape. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing Communications at the AAA School of Advertising. She is a full-time volunteer, ambassador and marketing manager of a non-profit organisation called Forward Foundation and also the owner of a swimwear company called She Succeeds.
Boniswa Mapisa (27) lives in Alberton in Gauteng, and is in her final year of an LLB degree through the University of South Africa. She has her own YouTube channel where she offers advice on hair care and she also has her own line of hair care products.
Chuma Matsaluka (24), hails from Nyanga in Cape Town in the Western Cape and is a fashion model and content creator with a triple major degree from the University of Cape Town. She is studying for an honours degree in anthropology. She loves watching crime documentaries, eating ice cream and going to food markets and says she has a unique laugh and is kind, graceful and empathetic.
Fortunate Mabeleng (25) is from Potchefstroom in the Free State and is a forensic science graduate from the University of the Free State. She works as a tutor and part-time reception administrator and is training to be a forensic officer. She loves coffee and says she is always very punctual.
Itumeleng Parage (22) comes from Central Western Jabavu in Soweto, Gauteng, and is a Bachelor of Law student with a Bachelor of Arts (law major) degree from the University of Witwatersrand. She is also an avid reader, enjoys cooking, loves almost all genres of music and says her role model is Michelle Obama.
Keaoleboga Nkashe (26) is from Itsoseng, in the Ngaka Modiri Molema district in the North West province but is currently living in Hong Kong where she is a post-graduate student, freelance model and kindergarten teacher. She want to use her love for education and the arts to better the lives of South African women and children.
Lebogang Mahlangu (26) is from Soshanguve in Tshwane, Gauteng, and works for a multinational FMCG company as a procurement specialist. She has a BSc Food Science degree from Stellenbosch University. She works on an initiative called TalkEat which encourages conversations with thought leaders to be shared and donates meals for every live Instagram conversation hosted. In 2021, 45 000 meal were donated. In her spare time, you’ll find her at the gym, spa or on the sports field.
Lehlogonolo Machaba (25) is from Oskraal in the North West province. She is a fashion model, LGBTQI activist and has a National Diploma in Fashion from the Tshwane University of Technology. She describes herself as a black transwoman who enjoys being her truest self and who is passionate about advocating for the true definition of authenticity and practising it.
Lisanne Lazarus (26) is from Amanzimtoti, Durban in KwaZulu-Natal and holds a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the Durban University of Technology where she graduated cum laude and received the Dean’s Merit Award. She is passionate about South Africa, its people and its potential. After church on Sundays, you will find her tucking into her favourite meal, crab curry.
Luvé Meyer (25) comes from Brackenfell in Cape Town in the Western Cape. She has a Bachelor of Health Science and Social Services degree and an honours degree in psychology from the University of South Africa and is a full-time model and small business co-owner. She loves going on fun adventures, exploring new coffee shops and being around people.
Luyanda Zuma (20) is from Maritzburg KwaZulu-Natal and is an international model, entrepreneur and a final year Bachelor of Live Performance student at AFDA. One of her greatest desires and long-term goals is to remove as many homeless women as possible off the streets and provide better living conditions for them.
Misqah Snyders (26) hails from Kensington in Johannesburg, Gauteng, and is an LLB graduate from the University of Johannesburg, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at Eduvos. She owns a small online clothing brand and loves all things fashion. She is also a long-distance runner and has been trained in kobujitsu.
Mphoentle Plaatjie (25) is from Waldrift, Vereeniging in Gauteng. She is a governance trainee with a Master of Law degree from the University of Cape Town. Her favourite things to do include outdoor activities, having game nights with loved ones and watching documentaries in bed all day. She believes pineapples belong on pizza and sugar must be added to Amasi!
Naledi Matabane (26) is from Tembisa in Gauteng. She has a post-graduate Diploma in Accounting Science and is currently a trainee auditor at a large audit firm. She says she is a make-up enthusiast and enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as watching cooking shows and trying out new recipes.
Ndavi Nokeri (23) comes from Tzaneen in Limpopo. She has a BCom Investment Management degree from the University of Pretoria and is currently working for an asset management firm in Cape Town. She has played netball since the age of six and represented Limpopo at the nationals for several years. She enjoys reading self-mastery books and feels any day is a good day to have cheesecake.
Nompumelelo Mampholo (26) is from Diepkloof, Zone 4 in Soweto, Gauteng, but currently resides in Sandton. She is a real estate agent and founder and CEO of Conqueres Connect, a youth-owned waste management and recycling solutions company. If she could be a superhero she would be Wonder Woman because she’s a woman of super strength and power and can fly!
Nthabiseng Kgasi (26) is from Protea Glen in Soweto, Gauteng. She graduated with a Marketing and Communications-Media degree and Honours Degree in Communications-Media Studies from IIEMSA and currently works as a marketer for a large telecommunication company. She enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring and travelling the country, being an MC and giving motivational talks on self-acceptance.
Pearl Ntshehi (25) was born and raised in Mamelodi but currently lives in Centurion in Tshwane, Gauteng. She is a candidate attorney and has BCom Law, BCom Honours and LLB degrees. She aspires to make an impact on the country’s judiciary, has a passion for youth development and women in law and prefers to read non-fiction books.
Shevon Periera (25) is from Roodekrans, Johannesburg, Gauteng. She graduated with a BCom Entrepreneurship degree through the University of Pretoria and currently works as a model as well as a business consultant at a medical aid company. If she’s not dancing, modelling or hiking you will find her in her favourite sweats watching Netflix.
Stacy Gossayn (25) is from Viljoenskroon in the Free State but currently is based in Pretoria, Gauteng, has a BSc degree in Human Movement Sciences and Physiology and works as a surgical orthopaedic medical representative. Her love for beauty products and cosmetics led her to study for a Diploma in Professional Make-up Artistry and she successfully runs a side business as a makeup artist. She is currently completing a Diploma in Sports Nutrition.
Tamsyn Jack (25), from Somerset West in the Western Cape, is an entrepreneur working with some of South Africa’s leading start-ups and small businesses. She graduated with a Food Science Degree from the University of Stellenbosch. She describes herself as compassionate, brave and inquisitive. She loves listening to podcasts while getting ready for the day and it her dream to meet women’s rights activist and actress, Emma Watson.
Thulani Ndzotyana (24) is from New Brighton in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, and works as a senior artist agent, social media manager and model. She is also studying for a BCom Law degree. She has been growing her dreadlocks for 10 years, is a proud Mamelodi Sundowns fan and says her nickname is “Barry White” because of the tone of her speaking voice.
Tlotlo Mabiletsa (27) was born in Mafikeng in the North West province, grew-up in Pretoria and has a BSc degree in Human Physiology from the University of Pretoria. She now lives in Fourways and interns at a global pharmaceutical company based in Johannesburg. She is representing Gauteng.
Tyhler Duimpies (23) comes from Beaufort West in the Western Cape, holds an NQFL 4 and 5 in Marketing Management and works as a marketing volunteer. In her spare time, she listens to music and sketches and says it is her dream to one day travel to Los Angeles and experience the city’s bright lights.
Zoey Seboe (22) is from Midrand in Gauteng. She is a model while also studying for a law degree at Eduvos. She describes herself as confident, kind and tenacious and says her melanin skin tone serves up two shades of brown. She adds that she is inspired by her grandmother and in her spare time you’ll find her in baking in her kitchen.
For more information on Miss South Africa 2022, download the Miss South Africa App from the Apple App Store or Google Play store for free.