Gugulethu Mayisela created history as she became the first ever black woman to be crowned Miss Grand South Africa 2023 at the finale of the 8th edition of Miss Grand South Africa held on 22nd July 2023 at Atterbury Theatre, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.

Gugulethu Mayisela is a 19-year-old model from Johannesburg, Gauteng. Not new to the pageant world, Mayisela holds the titles of Miss Eco Teen South Africa 2022, Miss Teen South Africa 2022 and then went on to win the Miss Teen World 2022 crown.

On winning the national crown, Mayisela took to her official social media as she wrote, “I am Gugulethu Mayisela, Miss Grand South Africa 2023! What an honour. I am so proud to say that I am the first black woman to ever represent South Africa at Miss Grand International. Last night I was blessed enough to share the stage with 23 other beautiful contestants. A huge congratulations to every single lady that competed last night.”

Also at the finale, Thulani Ndzotyana of Eastern Cape, Joey Roman of Western Cape, Robyn Hill of KwaZulu-Natal and Monique Best of Northwest were adjudged as the first, second, third and fourth runners-up respectively. The hosts for the evening were Tumelo Matela, Ruan Scheepers while the panel of jury included Nompumelo Maduna, Pierre Nel, Karabo Mbonani, Adele Loots.

Gugulethu Mayisela will now represent her country at Miss Grand International 2023, the 11th edition of Miss Grand International, to be held on 25th October 2023 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Miss Grand International 2022 Isabella Menin of Brazil will crown her successor at the end of the event finale.