The Miss South Africa pageant announced yesterday that it had changed its contestant criteria.
The announcement, which left many surprised, allows for pregnant contestants, married contestants, single mothers, trans, queer and everyone who identifies with being a woman to enter the pageant.
Speaking on Metro FM yesterday, Stephanie Weil, who is the Miss SA CEO, also shared that the contest will include a seven-part series that will help in getting to know them better.
Shocked at the news, the Metro FM host jokingly added that it would be really funny for a contestant to fight to go through baby daddy and then go to the pageant to compete afterwards.
Stephanie shared, “This year we have pushed more boundaries than ever before and we are delighted to welcome all women who are ready to step into our leadership platform and be the next ambassador for South Africa.”
She also commented, “We as women, are as so many things, we can be business owners, leaders, innovators, influencers, mothers, daughters, philanthropists, role models, ambassadors, and queens all at the same time.”
“Showcasing the multi-diverse nature of all of this will be at the core of the competition. Miss SA is no longer one- night, viewers are really going to get to know the finalists during the television show.”
Speaking with a Newsroom Afrika host, Stephanie mentioned that their decision was also based on international standards of beauty. Adding that beauty is diverse and it should be showcased in the different forms it comes in.
All those between the ages of 20 and 30 may enter the pageant.
The pageant opened for entries on the 28th of April and will close this coming Friday.
