Meet the Top 30 contestants competing for the crown and title of Miss South Africa 2023. They hail from the country’s nine provinces. Gauteng leads the pack with nine contestants. The Western Cape comes in second with five, kwaZulu Natal follows with four and the Eastern Cape and North West are represented by three contestants. The Northern Cape and Limpopo have two each, with Mpumalanga and Free State have one.

This year’s contest included a rules change, allowing both married women and those with children to compete. Two contestants, Jordan van der Vyver and Nicole Eksteen are married. And Top 30 contestant Rozelle Bester has a five-year-old son.

The Miss South Africa Top 30 finalists:

• Ané Oosthuysen (25), from Vanderbijlpark, in Gauteng. A primary school teacher and four-time graduate with degrees in Psychology and Medical Sociology.
• Anelisa Nxele (22), from Durban. A model and Social Sciences graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, majoring in Economics.
• Angie Mkwanazi (23), from Durban. A Bachelor of Commerce graduate from the University of Pretoria.
• Anke Rothmann (23) represents the Northern Cape. Is a pharmacist intern. Obtained a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the North West University.

• Barbara Moagi (22), from North West. A digital content creator and second year digital marketing student at Vega School.  Loves a good dinner dish for breakfast, particularly “chotlho le ting”.
• Bryoni Govender (26) is from Johannesburg. A qualified lawyer working as a trainee associate, whilst awaiting admission to become an attorney.
• Carmen Barnard (24) represents Gauteng. A model, dog lover and has a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of South Africa.
• Hestie Jooste (25), from Pretoria. A spunky financial advisor always surrounded by her loving family and fun friends.

RELATED STORY: A children’s book by Miss South Africa aims to address bullying

• Homba Mazaleni (23), from East London in the Eastern Cape. A qualified sport scientist and student intern at the University of the Western Cape.
• Jordan van der Vyver (27), from Durbanville in the Western Cape. A model and businesswoman on an entrepreneurial journey as the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of an online pioneering platform.
• Karla Pienaar (23) is from the beautiful North West. She is a Social Science and Geography teacher at Hartbeespoort High School.
• Keaoleboga Nkashe (27), from North West. An educator, student and model. She describes herself as a lifelong learner with a great sense of humour.

• Khanya Desi (22) from Qonce in the Eastern Cape. A model and a Bachelor of Arts Degree holder in screenwriting from AFDA Johannesburg.
• Lebohang Raputsoe (24) is from Sharpeville in Gauteng. Works as an HR practitioner. Holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources management and degrees in Industrial Psychology and Labour Relations Management.
• Lerato Maponya (26) is representing Johannesburg, Gauteng. She was born in Soweto. Graduated in International Relations from the University of Pretoria and currently works as an HR Manager in the emergency service industry.
• Levern “Donnatella” José (23), from Kimberley in the Northern Cape. A candidate property practitioner, a BCom law student at Eduvos Pretoria and an entrepreneur.

RELATED STORY: Miss Universe 2023 Crowned on US Homeground

• Lungo Katete (26) from Midrand in Johannesburg. A creative at heart. Achieved her Bachelors, Honours and Master’s degrees in Architecture from the University of the Witwatersrand.
• Malandi Marais (21), represents Citrusdal in the Western Cape. She is a BCom Law graduate and is currently a post-graduate LLB student at Stellenbosch University.
• Mbali Mbalu (25) is from Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town. A marketing manager and consultant in the hospitality and entertainment industry, as well as an entrepreneur.
• Melissa Nayimuli (27) from the Eastern Cape. Born to a Xhosa mother and Ugandan father. A passionate storyteller and currently works as a television and film creative producer in Johannesburg.

• Michelle Kruger (28) from Mpumalanga. A Candidate Attorney and model. Has a Bachelor of Laws, and Bachelor of Arts in Law degrees from the University of Pretoria.
• Naledi Mara (23), is from a township called Seshego in Limpopo. Holds a BA degree (criminology and psychology) from the University of Limpopo.
• Nande Mabala (25), from Worcester in Cape Town. A model, micro-influencer, philanthropist and a triple major BA Arts graduate.
• Natasha Joubert (25), represents Tshwane in Gauteng. A BCom Marketing Management graduate and the owner and fashion designer of Natalia Jefferys. A company she started when she was 19.

RELATED STORY: Could you be the winner of Miss South Africa 2023

• Ndyebo Lurayi (26) comes from Midrand, Johannesburg. Founder of Balleriia and Shot By Yebs. She is also a student pilot. Waiting for graduation day to receive her Bachelor of Arts Degree from UNISA.
• Nicole Eksteen (28) is from the winelands in the Western Cape. Has an honours degree in fashion design and is currently the project manager for a design and marketing agency.
• Oreabetse “Rea” Molefe (23) from Northam, Limpopo. She is an International Relations student at UNISA. Completed a Climate Change and Health Certification at Yale University in 2022.
• Rozelle Bester (27) hails from the Free State. A single mother working as a sales representative. She is also a model and make-up artist. Currently studying for her Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

• Sibusisiwe Zwane (20), from Shelly Beach in KwaZulu-Natal. A final year architecture student at UKZN. Describes herself as a jill-of-all-trades.
• Thandolwenkosi Hadebe (22), who hails from Bergville in KwaZulu-Natal. A filmmaker who graduated in film and live performance at AFDA. Recently completed her honours studies in innovation.

Photos courtesy of the Miss South Africa Organisation