Leadership over beauty: Why Tiyani Makamu entered Miss South Africa

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South Africa’s newly crowned Miss South Africa, Tiyani Makamu, says the pageant’s shift in focus from beauty to leadership was what inspired her to enter the competition.

The 27-year-old from Bronkhorstspruit was crowned on Saturday at the Sandton Convention Centre, where the country watched as the Top 12 finalists presented their respective causes, walked the runway in designer dresses and shared why they believed they deserved the crown.

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As the competition progressed from the Top 12 to the Top Five, the questions posed to the finalists centred on issues of empowerment, change and pioneering.

One of the judges, Dr Musa Mthombeni, said ahead of the finale that leadership was among the key criteria the judging panel considered when selecting the next Miss South Africa.

“I think, more than anything else, is leadership, right? So, it’s very nice to have a beautiful girl. I think we’ve had beautiful girls year and year and year, and tonight is no different. All of them are beautiful. What we’re looking for is the other kind of substance that comes with it, right? So, we’re looking for a good leader.

“We’re looking for someone who’s empathetic, someone who understands the problems that don’t exist just in their communities, but exist outside of that,” he said.

Following her crowning, Makamu said this shift in the pageant’s purpose was precisely what encouraged her to participate, as it aligned with her values and the work she does.

“I grew up in a very conservative home, so beauty pageants were not a thing. So I entered one pageant ever in my life, and then into my adult life, I went into my career, and it kind of fizzled out.

“But then the call to entry came in May, April of 2006, and then it said, Miss South Africa is no longer a beauty pageant. It’s a leadership platform. And that set me on fire because it aligned with who I am.

“They unveiled the five pillars of EYA, and I thought, yes, this is the opportunity of a platform to speak from a leadership perspective and not from the beauty standard perspective,” she said.

Meanwhile, as celebrations continue following Makamu’s crowning, questions surrounding the new crown have been circulating on social media, with some users comparing it to the diamond tiara worn by previous Miss South Africa titleholders.

Following the backlash and questions raised by social media users, Nungu Diamonds, which was previously contracted by the organisation, released a statement distancing itself from the new crown.

The gold-coloured crown, which has become the subject of online debate, appeared to be secured at the back of the reigning queen’s head and is understood to be a temporary design.

Miss South Africa clarified on Saturday evening at a media briefing that it intends to open a competition inviting young designers to contribute to the creation of a new crown.

The pageant’s spokesperson, Zawadi Dlamini, said more details about the process would be shared, including opportunities for young designers to participate in its design and creation.

“We are engaging young designers; we are going to do a competition for people who will contribute to the making of the crown. It’s something that we will be sharing. Obviously, the making of the crown is something that is exciting and glamorous. We will be sharing the process,” Dlamini said.

Meanwhile, in a statement published on its Nungu Diamonds official Instagram page, it confirmed that its sponsorship agreement with the Miss South Africa Organisation was not renewed for 2026.

“Negotiations were conducted in good faith and continued into the final days before the Finale; however, the parties were ultimately unable to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

“Notwithstanding this impasse, and as a gesture of goodwill, Nungu Diamonds granted Miss South Africa Organisation permission to use the Mowana Crown at the Finale on the clear understanding that sponsorship discussions would resume after the event. The decision not to use the Mowana Crown rested solely with Miss South Africa Organisation,” the statement read.

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