Miss South Africa 2026: A legal heavyweight joins the judges

Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela will head the judging panel.

Actor and presenter Lawrence Maleka will co-host the show.

And this year, the pageant is moving to a new home.

The Miss South Africa 2026 finale will take place on Saturday, 14 November, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Reigning Miss South Africa Qhawekazi Mazaleni will crown her successor on the night.

WHO ARE THE MISS SOUTH AFRICA 2026 JUDGES?

The Miss South Africa organisation announced the judging panel on Monday, 26 October.

It’s not Madonsela’s first time judging the pageant, since she was also on the panel for Miss South Africa 2022.

She’ll be joined by:

• Natasha Vermaak (née Joubert),

  Miss South Africa 2023

• Dr Musa Mthombeni

• Pumla Molope,

  president of African Women Chartered Accountants

WHO ARE THE HOSTS?

Maleka will share the stage with Jo-Ann Strauss, who won the Miss South Africa title in 2001.

Organisers confirmed Strauss as a host on Wednesday, 21 October, and teased a mystery co-host.

On Friday, 23 October, the organisers revealed Maleka as her partner on stage, describing him as “one of South Africa’s most dynamic and respected television personalities”.

SOUTH AFRICA, MEET YOUR CO-HOST FOR THE NIGHT! 👑🎤✨

Joining Jo-Ann on the #MissSA2026 Finale stage is @Lawrence_Maleka , one of South Africa’s most dynamic and respected television personalities. 🇿🇦

Celebrated for his commanding on-screen presence across both scripted and… pic.twitter.com/AOQ6mlYs4O

— Miss South Africa (@Official_MissSA)

October 23, 2026

WHO’S PERFORMING?

The finale will feature performances by the Ndlovu Youth Choir, Young Stunna and the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra.

The show’s creative theme is “From Imbokodo to Diamond”.

A NEW VENUE FOR MISS SOUTH AFRICA

This year’s finale marks a change of venue.

The SunBet Arena in Pretoria hosted previous editions of the pageant.

MEET THE FINALISTS

19 finalists are competing for the crown.

THIS IS WHERE THE REAL JOURNEY BEGINS. 👑

19 women.
19 stories.

One journey that will challenge them to become more.

Through every challenge, every lesson and every experience, they’re discovering what it truly means to lead with purpose.

Because this journey is more than the… pic.twitter.com/WumqWvZX3Y

— Miss South Africa (@Official_MissSA)

September 29, 2026

The Mandate, a seven-part documentary series about leadership, entrepreneurship and personal growth, follows their journey.

Only one of them will walk away with the crown.

WHO ARE YOU HOPING WILL BE CROWNED MISS SOUTH AFRICA 2026?

Let us know in the comments below…