Trans women are now encouraged to enter Miss South Africa

The current Miss South Africa, Shudufhadzo Musida, is still making waves and doing good as she continues her reign. While the star will represent Mzansi at the upcoming Miss World pageant in Puerto Rico in December this year, the search is officially on to find her successor – and the Miss South Africa organisation has called on transgender women to enter this year’s competition.

The organisation has officially put out a call to enter for Miss South Africa 2021. The winner of the pageant will go on to represent South Africa on the global stage, and become one of the country’s most prominent ambassadors and influencers.

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Entries opened on Monday May 24 at 17h00 and will close on June 24 at midnight. The Miss South Africa Organisation continues to make the entry process as easy as possible, which means there are no forms to download and no regional auditions to which hopefuls have to travel. Those who wish to enter can simply visit www.misssa.co.za, fill in a number of questions, upload entry pictures (one head & shoulders and one full body image). Entrants will also be required to post their introduction video on social media as part of entering by using #MissSA2021 and tagging Miss South Africa on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Applicants must be between the ages of 20 and 28 as of 1 October 2021, must be a South African citizen and in possession of a valid South African ID document or passport. More eligibility requirements can be viewed here. 

This year, the pageant is making history as it openly welcomes transgender women to enter. According to the Miss South Africa website: “Trans women are eligible to enter the Miss South Africa pageant, however, in order to be eligible to compete internationally, the contestant must be in possession of a valid South African ID document reflecting that their amended sex is female.”

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“This journey has been one of the highlights of my life - one that I will never forget and will cherish for as long as I live. You too can do it! This platform has not only empowered me, but it has caused a ripple effect that has empowered others too,” current Miss South Africa Shadufhadzo Musida says as she encourages women to enter. “It has empowered a nation of girls just like me, and showed me that all dreams are valid irrespective of your background. My life has been changed forever and the lives of the generations that come after me, so for that – Ndo livhuwa.”

Stephanie Weil of the Miss South Africa Organisation says: “We are delighted that the Miss South Africa brand continues to provide a leading voice for the winners but also all the young entrants and finalists who join us as a part of this empowerment platform. We can’t wait to meet the class of 2021 and introduce them to all of South Africa!”

The 2021 Miss South Africa pageant is scheduled to take place in October.

Image courtesy: Miss South Africa