A spectacular finale at the Sandton Convention Centre celebrated the new titleholder, South African creativity and a mandate for women’s leadership and lasting impact.
Tiyani Makamu, 27, from Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng, has been crowned Miss South Africa 2026, succeeding Qhawekazi Mazaleni. The crowning brought an unforgettable evening at the Sandton Convention Centre to a close, with African fashion, homegrown music and women’s artistic leadership taking centre stage.
Cwenga Koyana Kotu-Rammopo, from Edenvale, Gauteng, was named First Princess. Lesego Khumo Nyathela, from Springs, Gauteng, was named Second Princess.
The new Miss South Africa is a Communications Professional, Entrepreneur and Youth Advocate. Her work focuses on Entrepreneurship and Skills Development, Youth Unemployment, and Access to Education and Knowledge. As she begins her tenure, she will use the national platform to serve, inspire and help create meaningful change.
Speaking after her crowning, Tiyani Makamu said: “My mandate as Miss South Africa is to empower women entrepreneurs by bridging the gaps in access to opportunities, business development and funding. I want to equip women with the skills, resources and financial readiness to build sustainable, thriving businesses. Through entrepreneurship and skills development, I aim to champion the economic empowerment of women and youth across Africa.”
A bigger investment in achievement and in accountable impact
The Miss South Africa Organisation introduced an expanded awards structure for the Top Three, pairing a guaranteed cash award with a separate, performance-based Impact Fund:
- Miss South Africa 2026: R1 million cash award, plus access to up to R500,000 from the Impact Fund.
- First Princess: R250,000 cash award, plus access to up to R150,000 from the Impact Fund.
- Second Princess: R150,000 cash award, plus access to up to R100,000 from the Impact Fund.
The cash awards are guaranteed.
The Impact Fund is not a cash prize, personal payment to the titleholder, or an entitlement. It is a dedicated programme fund held and administered by the Miss South Africa Organisation.
Access to the Impact Fund is subject to:
- Submission of an approved project plan,
- Programme vetting and alignment with Empower Youth Africa (EYA) goals,
- Agreed milestones, budgeting and reporting, and
- Continued performance and compliance during the reign.
Funds are released in tranches against approved activities and verified delivery, to drive specific, measurable impact goals.
The Top Three will also receive executive development opportunities, mentorship, wellness support, access to regional and global leadership networks, and other prizes.
A mandate that continues beyond the crown
The evening marked more than a crowning. Miss South Africa is a year-round platform that identifies, develops and amplifies women leaders, equipping them to turn influence into opportunity for others. The crown carries public responsibility, and the work continues long after the stage lights fade.
That purpose takes practical shape through Empower Youth Africa (EYA), the organisation’s social-impact and leadership-development initiative. All 12 finalists are EYA ambassadors, with community commitments that extend beyond the competition. Their work spans education, entrepreneurship, health and wellness, youth leadership and community development.
The recently launched Women’s Leadership Impact Fund, announced at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in November, is expected to mobilise close to R5 million through philanthropic, corporate and development partnerships. The fund will support young women’s leadership, entrepreneurship and community-impact initiatives.
A dedicated R1 million EYA Ambassador Impact Fund is intended to support projects designed and led by the Top 12 finalists, connecting the visibility of Miss South Africa with practical support for women’s ideas and the communities they serve. Access to this fund is likewise subject to programme vetting, EYA alignment and performance, and is disbursed against approved project plans, not as a personal award.
Miss South Africa Patron and University of Cape Town Chancellor Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe has helped shape the platform’s long-term vision through her commitment to youth and women’s development. During a fireside conversation, she said:
“The future of Miss South Africa is bigger than a crown. We are creating a platform that invests in leadership, opportunity and impact. Our ambition is not simply to crown a winner, but to support a generation of women leaders who will help shape South Africa’s future.”
The finalists’ preparation was documented in The Mandate, a seven-part series following 19 young women through leadership, entrepreneurship, personal growth and public purpose. The crowning concludes the journey to the title. The mandate to lead continues.
The evening opened with “Safe to Dream”
The finale opened with one of its most emotional moments: “Safe to Dream.”
Young girls took to the stage to speak, in their own words, about their dreams: what they want to become, what they want to learn, and the futures they imagine for themselves.
Miss South Africa brought in the “Safe to Dream” act to place young people at the centre of the evening and to emphasise a simple truth: that dreams need safety to grow.
Every child deserves access to learning in a safe environment, and access to the opportunities that allow those dreams to become real. When a girl feels safe, safe to learn, safe to speak, safe to dream, she can begin to lead.
The act set the tone for the entire night. Before the fashion, before the music, before the crown, South Africa was reminded why this platform exists: for the girl who is still dreaming, and for the responsibility we all carry to protect that dream.
South African creativity takes the spotlight
Under the creative theme “From Imbokodo to Diamond”, the finale celebrated women’s strength, resilience and brilliance through music, fashion and storytelling. Choral harmonies, contemporary rhythms and orchestral music shaped the evening’s soundscape, while African couture brought distinctive elegance to the stage.
The musical line-up featured the Soweto Gospel Choir, Young Stunna, Zee Nxumalo and the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra. An all-female orchestra, led by a female conductor, put women’s musicianship and artistic leadership in the spotlight, making empowerment part of the performance itself.
Lawrence Maleka and Jo-Ann Strauss hosted the main show, while Kuhle Adams and Katleho Sinivasan welcomed guests on the red carpet.
House of Nala, the Official Fashion Partner, brought established and emerging African designers together for a showcase featuring David Tlale, Craig Port, Gavin Rajah, Sello Medupe of Scalo and Orapeleng Modutle, alongside NALA Privé designers Loice Dube, Keneuoe Mhletswa and Samkelo Xaba.
The AFI Fastrack Prize 2025/26 Top Three finalists, Mmathabo Silika, Kabelo Moukangwe and Itumeleng Ramakaue, brought the perspectives of a new creative generation to the occasion. Together, the designers celebrated the depth of African craftsmanship and the talent shaping its future.
Sponsors and partners
Miss South Africa 2026 is supported by House of Nala, Official Fashion Partner; DStv, Official Broadcast Partner; and MAC, Official Make-up Partner.
As Tiyani begins her tenure, the celebration carries a purpose beyond the crown: women equipped to lead, communities supported to thrive and South African talent given a national stage.