Entries for Miss South Africa 2020 now open

Entries for Miss South Africa 2020 opened at 9am on Monday, May 11 and organisers believe they may have the best year ever and are hoping for a record number of applications.

The lockdown certainly isn’t the death-knell for the competition, believes CEO of the Miss South Africa Organisation, Stephanie Weil.

In fact, it may result in record numbers and interest in the pageant, which celebrates its 62nd anniversary this year.

“Last year’s pageant was hugely successful, with a record number of entries and the most diverse line-up of contestants in the history of the contest. The crowning glory was the eventual winner, Zozibini Tunzi, going on to take the Miss Universe crown and capturing the imagination of people both home and abroad. Tunzi has to be one of the best loved and inspirational winners the pageant has ever produced,” said Weil.

Long before COVID-19, they were planning their rebranding and a new look for a new decade.

“This week, we launched our new logo with the tagline, ‘Face Your Power. Embrace Your Future.’ No longer is Miss South Africa just a once-off event, it’s now a year-round business, and a brand that provides both a leading voice for women’s rights and a platform to effect social change,” she shared.

They had already streamlined their entry process last year when they went online so nothing really has changed with lockdown.

“We will be searching for talented young women throughout the country. Our main goal is to bring about hope and showcase women empowerment through the Miss South Africa platform and we believe that in any format this will be something that the whole country will get behind,” added Weil.

So, does Weil think that not being able to meet and greet people in person will hinder Miss South Africa 2020’s duties?

“No, in fact, I think by doing a lot of meet and greets online, she will be able to reach – and inspire – even more young women across the country. Our main goal is to make Miss South Africa attainable and through online interaction this will make it easier. I think this year people will be engaging with, and listening to, the young woman who eventually holds the title of Miss South Africa 2020 more than ever,” she continued.

Weil also revealed that reigning Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi, is the face of the Miss South Africa 2020 media campaign which kicked off on Monday.

“She filmed the commercial in early February during her triumphant homecoming visit. What’s ironic is that we used a mask as part of our reveal! It had nothing to do with COVID-19 and we had no idea that was coming,” stated Weil.Competition entries close on May 31, 2020, at midnight. To enter, go to www.misssa.co.za and click on the tab ‘Miss South SA 2020’ and then ‘Enter now’.

The Miss South Africa Organisation will also be launching the Miss South Africa Foundation this year, details of which will be revealed at a later date along with the dates of the pageant and how it will be run.

Miss South Africa is presented by Weil Entertainment in association with M-Net, Mzansi Magic and Sun International.