South Africa’s beauty and grace will shine on the global stage this weekend as 18-year-old Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg competes in the grand final of the 72nd Miss World competition. The much-anticipated event will be held in Hyderabad, India, on Saturday, 31 May, at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Telangana.
The final show will be broadcast live at 1pm GMT (3pm South African time). South African fans can watch the event online through the official Miss World website, www.watchmissworld.com, as the show will not be aired on local TV.
Zoalize, who has proudly represented South Africa throughout the pageant, took to Instagram on Friday morning to share a heartfelt message with her supporters. “I have worn you on my heart for the past month, and it has been a full-circle moment. Getting to share the purpose of not only myself but so many with the world has been fulfilling,” she wrote.
She continued, “For those familiar with my journey, I want to thank you for walking this walk with me. I appreciate you all more than words can express.”
Zoalize has already made South Africa proud by winning the World Designer Award for the Africa region at the Miss World Top Model competition. The event was hosted at the luxurious Trident Hotel in Hyderabad by former Miss World 2016, Stephanie Del Valle.
The winning gown, which caught the judges’ attention, was created by South African designer Juan William Aria. Made from satin glass fabric and decorated with detailed hand embroidery, the gown featured a large protea flower in the centre – a tribute to South Africa’s national flower. This powerful symbol was chosen to represent the nation’s beauty, strength, and cultural diversity.
As Zoalize prepares to step onto the Miss World stage for the final time this weekend, South Africans across the country are rallying behind her, hopeful that she will bring home the crown.