Dr. Claude Mashego was crowned Miss Worth South Africa 2023 at the inaugural edition of Miss World South Africa held on 28th October 2023 at The South African State Theatre in Pretoria. Since then, Claude has been preparing to represent South Africa at Miss World 2023.

A doctor by profession, Claude hails from Acornhoek, Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga. Claude is in the early stages of her career at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg where she is in the second year of her internship. Claude is a qualified doctor of Medicine, having graduated from the University of Pretoria in December 2021.

For Beauty with a Purpose, Claude advocates, as the founder of the nonprofit organization ‘Young Leaders Network’, for youth development, leadership, and entrepreneurship by bringing together young people from different fields of expertise.

Winning the opportunity to not just represent the country but advocate her cause, Claude quoted, “South Africa, the African continent and the rest of the world, this is far bigger than me. It is far bigger than a little girl from Bushbuckridge’s dream. This is a little who has always believed she could change the world despite being told that she’s just one person and wasn’t born privileged enough. Today she has stepped into her power, proving herself capable, and igniting the same fire in others. There lies a leader in each of us waiting to be awakened.”

Through her efforts, Claude has also helped raise funds and the necessary medical support to accommodate growth for 3-year-old Mimmie she met through Afrika Tikkun. Mimmie is living with Feingold Syndrome—a rare autosomal hereditary disorder marked by microcephaly, complications with the esophagus and intestines, and limb malformations. Claude has also worked with ‘Raise The Children International’, an organization that empowers rural South African orphans through quality education to become thriving servant-leaders poised to transform their communities and country.

Miss World 2023, the 71st edition of Miss World, is scheduled to be held in Mumbai in March 2024 where Miss World 2022 Karolina Bielawska of Poland will crown her successor at the end of the event finale.