Miss South Africa 2024: Meet the Gauteng Beauties Chasing the Crown

The Miss South Africa 2024 beauty pageant is set to shine a spotlight on nine remarkable Gauteng-born contestants. These talented and inspiring women are vying for the prestigious crown, each bringing their unique stories, aspirations, and advocacies to the forefront.

The Miss South Africa beauty pageant is more than just a competition of elegance and grace; it is a celebration of intelligence, empowerment, and transformation. This year’s pageant has drawn some of the most vibrant and intelligent women from Gauteng, each eager to inspire and bring positive change to their communities. Here, we spotlight the nine Gauteng-born beauties who have made it to the top 16 of the Miss SA 2024 competition.

Layla Zoubair: A 29-year-old from Kempton Park, Layla Zoubair is the founder and designer of Fair Collection SA. Known for her outgoing and outspoken personality, Layla thrives on challenges and exploring new frontiers. As a single mother, she aims to represent young women in her community and remind them to pursue their dreams relentlessly. Her inquisitive nature drives her passion for learning and personal growth.

Lethaukuthula Ayanda Maseko: Hailing from Daveyton, 24-year-old Lethaukuthula Ayanda Maseko is currently pursuing her honours degree at Witwatersrand University. She embodies resilience and hope, transforming the pressures of her upbringing into strengths. As an advocate for change and against unemployment, Lethaukuthula’s journey is a testament to self-authorship and determination.

Naledi Matlakala: A 24-year-old Bcom Law student with a BA in Psychology and Criminology from the University of Pretoria, Naledi Matlakala is driven by the mission of “information is transformation.” Residing in Midrand, she is committed to ensuring that vital information and resources are accessible and inclusive within South African communities. Naledi’s vision is to connect and activate information to foster community development.

Ontshiametse Tlhopane: Aspiring model Ontshiametse Tlhopane, 23, from Protea Glen in Soweto, holds qualifications in criminology. Her curiosity about youth misbehavior inspired her to found #Safehere, an organization aimed at positively impacting children’s lives. Friendly, kind, and empathetic, Ontshiametse believes in providing opportunities and resources for everyone to pursue greatness.

Taahira Katz: At 25, Taahira Katz from Nancefield in Soweto has a degree in Social Sciences and has traveled the world as an international model. Her passion for people and the environment motivated her studies. Taahira aims to work with organizations focusing on mental health crises and advocates for learning and new experiences.

Palesa Lombard: A 25-year-old final year medical student from Waverley, Johannesburg, Palesa Lombard is multilingual and balances her artistic talents with deep scientific interests. She is particularly interested in neurological pathologies and combines her biomedical studies with her work as a professional model.

Nompumelelo Maduna: Marketing professional and master’s degree student Nompumelelo Maduna, 29, from Rockville, Soweto, describes herself as generous, goal-driven, and hardworking. She is also a saxophonist and has launched the Impumelelo Girls Mentorship program to empower young women in their education and career paths.

Kirsten Khan: A model from Johannesburg, 26-year-old Kirsten Khan resides in Cape Town and holds a diploma in architectural draughting from Damelin College. Compassionate and resilient, Kirsten is passionate about mental health and believes in providing youth the opportunity to be seen, heard, and to pursue their dreams.

Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina: Born in Soweto and currently living in Cape Town, 23-year-old Chidimma is a Bachelor of Law student at Varsity College. A tall netball player, she is passionate about sports and advocates against violence toward women and children. Chidimma’s ambition and optimism drive her to break the silence on gender-based violence and encourage public awareness and education.

These nine remarkable women from Gauteng exemplify the spirit of Miss South Africa 2024. They are not just chasing a crown but also embodying empowerment, resilience, and a commitment to making a difference.