Alia Khan Koumantarakis
Image: Supplied
WHAT started as an item on a high-school bucket list has turned into a reality for Alia Khan Koumantarakis, who was recently selected as a Miss South Africa 2026 Top 19 finalist.
The 21-year-old from Durban did some modelling in high school, but pageantry was never something she actively pursued while growing up, and she felt overwhelmed with gratitude for reaching the finals.
She said entering Miss South Africa was on her bucket list of experiences and goals that she wanted to achieve one day.
“When I made the Top 19, it was one of those moments when you have to pause and let it sink in. I felt proud of how far I had come and deeply thankful to everyone who had supported me throughout the journey. Making the Top 19 has been a dream come true,” said Koumantarakis.
“For me, it represented stepping outside my comfort zone, embracing personal growth and challenging myself. Although I had never competed in a pageant before, the opportunity came at the right time in my life and felt like a natural next step,” she said.
Koumantarakis is a filmmaker, producer, director, actress, author, and founder of Stalia Productions. She is also an intern at the FW de Klerk Foundation, where she focuses on youth empowerment and constitutional education.
With a Bachelor of Arts in motion picture, Koumantarakis said she intended to use the platform to encourage young people to embrace storytelling as a tool for self-expression and social change.
“Through my own journey, I want to show that it is possible to excel academically, creatively and professionally while remaining true to yourself.
“If I am crowned Miss South Africa, I would be honoured to serve as an ambassador for our country and use the platform to promote literacy, storytelling and youth empowerment.”
She said a cause that was close to her heart was encouraging young people to tell their own stories.
“Through my Empower Youth Africa initiative, pupils are encouraged to write and share stories from their communities and lived experiences. The goal is to nurture creativity, confidence and literacy.”
Koumantarakis added that she would also use the platform to show young women that there was no single definition of success.
“I have never allowed myself to be limited by expectations. Whether it was pursuing academics, sport, writing, filmmaking, leadership or now pageantry, I have always believed in exploring every opportunity available to me.
“I want young girls to know that they can define their own path and that their ambitions do not have to fit into any predetermined box,” she said.
The date and venue for the Miss SA pageant have not yet been confirmed.
