Season 61
The 60th Diamond Jubilee event, televised live and simulcast on Mzansi Magic and M-Net, saw 12 of the country's beautiful and accomplished women compete to take the crown and follow in the footsteps of Miss South Africa 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, who went onto be crowned Miss Universe, and her successor, Adè van Heerden.
The pageant was hosted this year by Bonang Matheba and took place at the Sun Arena at Time Square, Pretoria.
The Top 12 finalists, who each received a prize package valued at R180,000, came from six of the country's provinces and were as follows (see credits below for links to full bios):
Akile Khoza (23) from Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga who is studying for her Masters in neuroscience at Stellenbosch University.
Anzelle van Staden (25), from Centurion in Gauteng, has a BComm degree from the University of Pretoria and is currently a full-time model.
Bryoni Govender (21), from Kempton Park in Gauteng, is a third year LLB student at the University of Johannesburg.
Daniellé de Jager (20) from Benoni, Gauteng, is currently studying biokinetics at the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth.
Karishma Ramdev (23), from Chatsworth in KZN, is a fifth-year medical student at the University of Pretoria.
Margo Fargo (25), originally from Heidedal in the Free State, has a BSc consumer sciences honours degree and is a co-founder of a NPO.
Noxolo Ndebele (24), from KwaNongoma in KZN, has a BComm Acc degree and worked as a financial controller.
Tamarin Bensch (25), originally from Bedfordview in Gauteng but now living in Somerset West, works in property management and interior renovations.
Tamaryn Green (23), from Paarl in the Western Cape, is in her final year of medicine at the University of Cape Town.
Thandokazi Mfundisi (23), from East London in the Eastern Cape, is a final year LLB student at Fort Hare.
Tharina Botes (21), from Roodepoort in Gauteng, is a first year BComm marketing and business degree student at Damelin and a part-time model.
Thulisa Keyi (26), originally from East London and who now lives in Gauteng, is currently doing her articles after graduating from the University of Cape Town.
The winner received R1-million in cash as well as the use of a fully furnished and serviced apartment for the year of reign, a Nissan Qashqai and the use of designer garments for her red carpet looks.
The prize package included, in alphabetical order:
Africology product and spa services
Bacher and Co watch and fragrance sponsorship
blackBOX with one year’s subscription to Binge Premium Plus on black.
Brow Bar product and services
Cahi Dental Practice dental services and aesthetic improvements
Call It Spring footwear
Cell C voice and data contracts
Ciro Coffee equipment and product
Discovery Insure insurance and medical aid
Edgars Mobile retail vouchers
Exclusive Dry Cleaners services for year of reign
Forever New fashion
Generosity water
Jack Friedman jewellery
Lebelle Hair Extensions
Lightsculpt skincare treatments and product
Lipault Luggage luxury travel gear
Miss SA Organisation (Sun International and Cell C) R1 million in cash and the use of an apartment
Nissan Qashqai
Paul Mitchell hair products and services
Planet Fitness gym membership
Samsung S9+, Tablet and Gear Fit Pro Red
Shock Absorber fitness products
Smashbox make up product and applications
Soviet denim apparel
USN products and clothing
Wonderbra intimate wear
Designers Ciska Barnard, Quiteria & George, Imprint ZA, Khosi Nkosi, Salomie Couture, Shoptrend.co.za and Kyna Consili will provide her fashion needs.
This year Miss South Africa made a change to its format. Following the cut to the top five finalists, the organisers will go straight to a top two announcement. One of the pair was named Miss World South Africa and one received the title of Miss Universe South Africa. Both went on to represent South Africa on the global stage in each respective competition.
However, as there can be only one reigning Miss South Africa, the two winners were asked one final question by the judges as the pageant drew to a close. Their answers determined who was crowned the official Miss South Africa 2018 and walked away with the prize package.
The runner-up took R600,000 – a R250,000 cash prize and R350,000 in other prizes.
Anele Mdoda, who was a judge in 2014, returned to the panel this year and was joined by marketing personality Khaya Dhlanga; businesswoman and media mogul Khanyi Dhlomo; entrepreneur and television presenter Janez Vermeiren; magazine editor Michelle van Breda; celebrity chef Siba Mtongana and Miss World 2014, Rolene Strauss.
Winner: Tamaryn Green (Miss Universe South Africa)
Runner-up: Thulisa Keyi (Miss World South Africa)