: Keaoleboga Nkashe (27), from Itsoseng in the North West, became the final Miss South Africa finalist voted out of the pageant following her elimination from episode 5 of Crown Chasers, the Miss South Africa behind-the-scenes television series broadcast on SABC 3.
Episode 5 of Crown Chasers, “Crusading for your Cause”, was themed around the importance of giving back, with the remaining finalists taken to Phefeni High School where, alongside the Imbumba Foundation, they spoke about the importance of menstrual health and food security.
The main challenge was the final interview with each woman presenting their CSI platform to the judges and revealing how they saw themselves making a difference in the country. The final photo shoot featured the finalists alongside the current Miss South Africa Ndavi Nokeri. The guest judges included fashion designer Gert Johan Coetzee, business mogul Koo Govender and former Miss South Africa 2010, Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala.
The winner of the episode was Natasha Joubert who has won an impressive three of the Crown Chasers challenges.
Nkashe, who describes herself as an inclusion activist passionate about the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and the rights of children, describes her time on Crown Chasers as fun and challenging and says “it was a very big test and a lot of character development was done.
“Although getting eliminated from Miss South Africa was a disappointment and not the outcome I had prayed for, I believe setbacks like this are opportunities for growth and learning. I really believe in the motto ‘rejection is oftentimes redirection’.
“I would definitely do it all over again and do it the exact same way because during the highs I learnt about my strengths while in my lows I saw potential for growth. I am so grateful for both these lessons.”
Tell us about the challenges in the episode you were voted out on and what you found difficult?
Having been in the bottom three times I really felt like I had to fight and I did just that. The difficult part was seeing how I intended my passion and fight to come across did not translate to the judges.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learnt that I can never be disappointed as long as I remain true to myself and do my best each and every time. I also learnt that I am very resilient.
How has your Miss South Africa finalist journey been?
It was a once in a lifetime journey that I do not take lightly and I got to meet and bond with amazing women who were equally passionate about making a difference. The whole experience challenged me, pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me to grow personally and professionally .
What was the best/hardest part?
The best was getting to build relationships with my fellow contestants all of whom are such incredible and hard-working women. The hardest was landing in the bottom three times. I just had to remember that this is not a reflection on my worth or my abilities.
What is your message to the remaining Miss South Africa contestants?
I want to tell them that they are all are fantastic and phenomenal women and I am so blessed to have met and gotten to know each one of them. I wish them the absolute best. Miss South Africa is a destiny thing and for one of them this will be her destiny and I am so proud to have watched it unfold. I cannot wait to see what this world has in stall for all of us.
What next?
The next couple of months I have to concentrate on doing research in order to complete my masters degree. I also have to finish writing a children’s book series that I plan on launching early next year. Finally, I am going to keep working alongside the organizations I have worked with to make a difference in this country.
Do you have a message for all those who have supported you?
It is with the biggest heart and biggest smile that I want to extend my gratitude. Thank you so much for the love and support during this time. I do not take it lightly that my supporters prayed for me, voted for me and cheered me on and it is because of them that I will continue to chase my dreams I will always know that even though I stand as one I come with thousands.
Crown Chasers viewers and Miss South Africa fans are encouraged to vote for their favourite Crown Chaser via the official Miss South Africa App which can also be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Voting is open from now until August 7 at 10h00.
Miss South Africa 2023 will be crowned at the SunBet Arena at Time Square in Pretoria on Sunday, August 13.
Miss South Africa is presented by Weil Entertainment in association with Sun International. SABC3 is the official broadcast partner.