Miss South Africa 2020, the 62nd edition of Miss South Africa, will host its annual edition virtually in the month of August where the next delegate to represent South Africa at international pageants will be crowned. South Africa’s performance at the international beauty pageants has been incredible as the divas have always proven their worth in the competition and with their remarkable performances, they have taken home multiple titles, especially in the recent years.

Rebuilt under ‘Face your power, embrace your future’, stunning beauties will compete for the crown and the opportunities to represent South Africa in Miss Universe 2020, Miss Supranational 2020 and Miss World 2020. The Miss South Africa organization has announced the names of judges for the first round of the competition.

Miss South Africa judging veteran Anele Mdoda and former Miss South Africa title holders Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala (2010), Liesl Laurie (2015) and Adè van Heerden (2017) have been finalised for the judging more than 2500 entries. The delegates have recorded their entry video and the judges will choose 35 contestants to participate in the virtual interview rounds before a top 16 is announced.

Radio and television personality Anele Mdoda; who was also part of the Miss South Africa judging panel when Rolene Strauss went on to win Miss World and when Zozibini Tunzi took the Miss Universe crown – says she doesn't feel any pressure to find the next international winner and laughs off her moniker as the "judge with the Midas touch". She said, "It's never about the judges; it is the belief the young women have in themselves. We just serve as a springboard; the crown finds the contestant whilst she is looking for it," she says.  Has what she looks for in a candidate changed over the years? "I have always looked for authenticity and a strong sense of self. You can see it almost immediately when you meet a contestant. With Rolene, it was when we asked her what she would change about the process, and she spoke about a problem she had seen other contestants experiencing and not herself. It was about being so confident that helping others would not even hinder her journey."

Since Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa won Miss Universe 2019, everyone has expected the next Miss Universe to be as her But Anele firmly stated that they are not looking for the next Zozibini but they want the candidates to be the first them. She has advised the candidates to be themselves and just be natural. She also added, “We are not forcing an entrant to know everything but just to be aware of how your fellow South Africans live. Show us that your existence is not the only one you are aware of and be careful of having one narrative."

Broadcaster and former Miss South Africa Liesl Laurie, one of the judges at the first stage last year, says she always tells the story of Zozi explaining to the judges the reason she entered Miss South Africa: "'I wanted to settle once and for all who the prettiest lady in my family is...' and she immediately stood out to me. Never mind her striking beauty and an infectious smile, the fact that she had a sense of humour said to me that she knew there's a time and a place for everything. That she knew that she needed to make an impression and did so by being her authentic self. It was evident from the beginning that she is exceptionally intelligent and understood that she was sitting in one of the most important job interviews of her life.”  She added, “The diversity and representation on stage is something that makes me so excited to be a part of this amazing brand. Another thing that stands out is that we are definitely more prepared for the international stages from the early stages of the pageant – almost every girl in the semi-final stage is ready to take on Miss Universe and Miss World."

Former Miss South Africa Dr Adè van Heerden says she is honoured to join the judging panel for the first time: "This is not is just a beauty pageant; the winner becomes a South African female leader. Because our nation is so diverse, I am looking for a multifaceted woman. A woman who radiates a deep confidence within herself and in the potential of her nation. A woman who can embrace her unique beauty, couple it with the strength of her voice and move our nation forward. The potential winner must be authentic with the ability to learn." 

Miss South Africa Organization CEO, Stephani Weil stated that they are delighted with the number of entries they have received and could feel the excitement in the air for the pageant. She also stated that she believes and has full faith that the judging panel will have a hard time choosing the top 16 because the entries they have received are outstanding.