Qualified attorney who placed as the first runner-up at Miss South Africa 2023, Bryoni Govender, will represent Mzansi at this year’s Miss Universe pageant. Natasha Joubert, who was crowned Miss South Africa 2023, will not compete in pageantry as she participated in the 2021 international pageant.
The Miss Universe rules state that a contestant cannot enter more than once.
Miss Universe’s official Instagram page confirmed that Bryoni will be the one to represent SA while congratulating Natasha on her big win.
“The new @official_misssa is @natasha_joubert and Miss Universe South Africa 2023 is @bryoni.ng ?, wrote the pageant organisation.
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The next Miss Universe pageant is set to take place in El Salvador in November 2023.
According to Jacaranda FM, Miss SA did not renew its licence with the pageant hence why Natasha cannot enter the Miss World pageant.
TV producer and businesswoman Carol Bouwer bought the rights to the Miss World licence in South Africa.
Pageant enthusiast and YouTuber, Rina Hendriks, told The South African the following regarding the international pageant rules:
“It is a set-in-stone rule that no woman may represent her country more than once at Miss Universe. There was never going to be a way for Natasha to go to Miss Universe again. Carol Bouwer Productions has since picked up the Miss World licence in South Africa and has established the Miss World South Africa pageant. A new Miss World South Africa will be selected in October and will then be sent to represent South Africa at Miss World in India this year. Natasha cannot go to Miss World since Miss World is no long affiliated with the Miss South Africa Organisation.”
Also see: Miss SA reacts to Zozi Tunzi’s reports of not attending the pageant show
