Miss South Africa 2026 Top 19 Contestants Revealed by Minnie Dlamini
- Minnie Dlamini unveiled the Miss South Africa Top 19 on 19 August 2026, narrowing the field from the Top 24 round
- The judging panel assessed contestants on leadership, resilience, social impact, and vision for their communities
- All 19 finalists will receive development support through the Miss SA Organisation's Empower Youth Africa programme
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Minnie Dlamini revealed the Miss South Africa pageant's Top 19 contestants on 19 August 2026, marking a significant milestone in the competition's journey to crowning the next Miss SA.
The announcement came after an intensive judging round that whittled the Top 24 down to the final 19. Contestants were put through their paces with personal storytelling sessions, interviews, and presentations, all designed to test their depth beyond the surface.
How the Top 19 were chosen
The judging panel was made up of three accomplished women: entrepreneur and investor Dr Aisha Pandor, former Miss SA 2020 titleholder Shudufhadzo Musida, and Business Engage founder and CEO Colleen Larsen. Together, they evaluated each contestant on leadership ability, future vision, resilience, social impact, and capacity to drive meaningful change in their communities.
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The 19 women who secured their spots in the next round are:
1. Alia Khan Koumantarakis (KZN)
2. Amogelang Bunu (Gauteng)
3. Bonolo Marang Motau (Gauteng)
4. Cwenga Koyana Kotu-Rammopo (Gauteng)
5. Ipeleng Pearl Madiba (North West)
6. Katlego Maleba (Gauteng)
7. Kaylan Matthews (Eastern Cape)
8. Kendra Norah Horne (Western Cape) 9. Lesego Khumo Nyathela (Gauteng)
10. Makhosazana Azana Masango (KZN)
11. Modiegi Mashamaite (Gauteng)
12. Ndiwanga Murhava (Mpumalanga)
13. Palesa van Rooyen (Free State)
14. Simone Nonhlanhla Tshitaka (Gauteng)
15. Sunshine Dlangamandla (Gauteng)
16. Tebogo Palesa Molathlegi (Gauteng)
17. Tiyani Makamu (Gauteng)
18. Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg (Gauteng)
19. Saneliswe Diko (Eastern Cape)
What happens next for the top 19
Making the cut does not simply mean continuing in the race for the crown. All 19 finalists will have their personal initiatives supported through Empower Youth Africa, the Miss SA Organisation's official impact and leadership programme. The contestants' projects span a broad range of causes, from education and health and wellness to youth development, entrepreneurship, civic participation, and Pan-African collaboration.
Miss SA Organisation patron and chairperson Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe emphasised that the competition's purpose extends well beyond selecting a winner. She said that through Empower Youth Africa, the organisation has worked to cultivate a generation of women prepared to lead and create lasting impact in society, women who understand their responsibility extends far beyond a crown.
Miss SA 2025 runner-up takes legal action
Miss SA 2025 second runner-up Karabo Mareka launched legal action against an anonymous X account called Salties_unmasked over defamatory posts.
The account made damaging allegations about Mareka's career and personal life, including claims she was fired from United Airlines.
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Source: Briefly News
