Five-member judging panel brings together voices from law, healthcare, finance and entertainment as the finale approaches on 14 November. Tickets remain on sale from R450.
Johannesburg, South Africa 26 October 2026 — Advocate Thuli Madonsela has been named among the judges for the Miss South Africa 2026 finale, with Lawrence Maleka and Jo-Ann Strauss confirmed as the main-show hosts. The announcements build on the recently revealed date, venue and first performers for the crowning at the Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday, 14 November 2026.
Joining Madonsela on the five-member judging panel are Natasha Vermaak, Miss South Africa 2023; Dr. Musa Mthombeni; and Pumla Molope, president of African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA).
The panel brings together perspectives from law, healthcare, finance and entertainment, connecting the finale to the platform’s wider focus on leadership and public purpose. For the twelve finalists, the evening will mark not only the selection of a new titleholder, but the next step in a mandate to lead, inspire and create meaningful impact.
Maleka and Strauss will guide the main show through to the crowning of Miss South Africa 2026. On the official red carpet, Kuhle Adams and Katleho Sinivasan will welcome guests ahead of the finale.
The judging-panel announcement gives renewed context to The Mandate, Miss South Africa’s seven-part premium documentary series following nineteen young women through a journey of leadership, entrepreneurship, personal transformation and public purpose ahead of the finale. The series looks beyond the competition to explore the aspirations, resilience and ambition of a new generation of African women. Its central question is not simply who will win, but who will lead; and how influence can be used to serve others.
That message continues on the finale stage. One woman will receive the crown, but all twelve finalists carry a responsibility to advocate, inspire and create impact. Through Empower Youth Africa (EYA), Miss South Africa’s purpose extends beyond the title to empowering young people and creating pathways to opportunity.
The finale will unfold under the creative theme “From Imbokodo to Diamond”, celebrating South African women’s strength, resilience and leadership. The production will combine African heritage, contemporary fashion, music and storytelling, drawing on Imbokodo as a symbol of women’s strength and contribution to society, and on the brilliance of the diamond.
As previously announced, the Ndlovu Youth Choir will take to stage. Now joining them are Amapiono sensation Young Stunna and Mzansi national Philharmonic Orchestra bringing together voices, rhythm and orchestral grandeur for an unforgettable evening of music, celebration and storytelling
Tickets remain on sale through Ticketpro, with Silver tickets at R450, Gold at R600, VIP at R1,600 and VVIP at R2,000. The red carpet opens at 16:00, and doors to the finale arena open at 19:00. Admission is restricted to guests aged 18 and over.
Audiences can watch The Mandate at misssa.co.za/the-
About Miss South Africa
Miss South Africa champions leadership, excellence, purpose and impact. Through its titleholders and Empower Youth Africa (EYA), it seeks to inspire and empower young people to contribute meaningfully to their communities, country and continent.
About Empower Youth Africa
Empower Youth Africa (EYA) is the official social impact and leadership development programme of the Miss South Africa Organisation, positioned at the heart of its new Era. EYA was established to address the gap between young people’s aspirations and access to opportunities in South Africa and across the African continent. It reflects Miss South Africa’s evolution into a purpose-driven national platform committed to developing leaders, driving entrepreneurship, social transformation, and delivering measurable impact at scale.
About The Mandate
The Mandate is a seven-part documentary series following the Miss South Africa 2026 Top 19 contestants through a transformative journey of leadership, entrepreneurship, personal growth and public purpose.
The series explores the evolution of Miss South Africa as a platform for influence, advocacy and youth empowerment, and chronicles the path to the crowning of Miss South Africa 2026.
KEY SERIES THEMES
Leadership as Service
The series challenges the notion that leadership is authority, instead exploring leadership as responsibility and impact.
The Future of African Women
The contestants represent a generation of women shaping conversations around entrepreneurship, innovation, civic participation and social change.
Ambition with Purpose
