The judging panel for the Miss South Africa Pageant 2016 has been announced with the appointment of new judge, former Miss South Africa 1994 and leading businesswoman Basetsana Kumalo.
Three of the last year’s judges return for 2016: entrepreneur, poet, writer and former magazine editor, Kojo Baffoe; actress and TV personality Sophie Ndaba and Bloemfontein designer Casper Bosman. Also back is magazine editor and style icon Pnina Fenster who judged the competition in 2014 when Rolene Strauss, who went on to become Miss World, won the Miss South Africa crown.
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Regarded as leaders and trendsetters in their respective fields, they will be judging the Top 12 contestants on an array of criteria including their leadership qualities, communication skills, beauty and talent, physical fitness and a dedication to community service.
Says new judge Basetsana Kumalo: "Miss South Africa is an incredible platform for any young woman and can change her career path. I am living testament of that and will be bringing my personal experience of what it is like to be on that stage, nerves and all! Miss South Africa is not just about strutting your stuff on stage for the night and then doing nothing beyond that. As a television producer for the past 22 years, I have a sense of what makes for great talent. It’s not just about the aesthetics but rather about intelligence, a sense of purpose, a good work ethic, a drive and a vision that extends beyond the year of her reign."
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She explains what she will be looking for in a potential Miss South Africa: "We live in a country with many challenges and opportunities. I will be looking for someone who understands that narrative and can use their role as an ambassador of a nation that is 22 years into its democracy to inspire a new generation.”
Baffoe believes that with three years of judging the competition, he now has a stronger understanding of what it entails: “The most important attributes a potential Miss South Africa can have are kindness, authenticity and humility. Miss South Africa needs to put everyone around them at ease and have the ability to interact with people across all spaces in South Africa and beyond. Being Miss South Africa is the ultimate 'learning-on-the-job' experience."
His advice to the candidates: “Don’t try to be what you are not. You are good enough so let the judges see you as opposed to an idea of who you think we want you to be. We see through it every time."
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