11 May 2023: Mrs South Africa has welcomed this year’s changes to the Miss South Africa pageant rules, noting that its decision to allow married and divorced women, as well as mothers to compete is a positive move. The two pageants complement each other, as Miss SA is only open to entrants under the age of 28, while Mrs South Africa is open to married women up to 55 years.
Mrs South Africa is recognised as the one of the country’s leading and most well-supported pageants for married women, with household names such as Jacqueline Ferns, Matapa Maila, Nicole Capper, and ruling Queen Palesa Matjekane listed amongst its winners.
“Miss South Africa and Mrs South Africa serve as important counterparts, both playing significant roles in supporting women through various phases of their lives, and highlighting their strength, talent, and perseverance as sources of inspiration for others,” explains Mrs South Africa CEO Joani Johnson.
She notes that the entire industry has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with a renewed emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. For example, Mrs South Africa also announced last year that it would be extending its entry requirements to allow married women up to 55 years to compete. This move has been seen as a powerful statement of support for women often overlooked in society, reflecting the programme’s commitment to empowering women of all ages.
“As Mrs South Africa, our role is to create the female ambassadors of tomorrow, which is why we aim to celebrate authentic, bonafide women. We strive to uplift and showcase #EveryWoman, celebrating true beauty in all its forms – beauty which does not conform to any specific body type or age but is rooted in strength, confidence, and talent. And once they have entered, we seek to offer our contestants a complete life-transformation journey that gives them the tools needed to become the bold voices of tomorrow.”
Mrs South Africa therefore provides coaching, skills training, and networking opportunities to help its participants transform their lives and careers, and gain confidence in their abilities as leaders and change-makers.
“We are proud to walk alongside women as they rediscover themselves and actively pursue their dreams, no matter their age.”