End of an era: Miss SA CEO Stephanie Weil steps down
In 2019, the rights to the competition were sold to Weil's company after it was previously helmed by Sun International, a hotel and entertainment group.
Earlier this year, creative director Werner Wessels parted ways with the organisation to pursue other interests.
On Wednesday, 9 July, the Instagram pageant fan account @allthingsmissa posted a statement that Stephanie Weil had stepped down as CEO.
It confirmed that Weil would continue to helm the pageant until her successor had been named.
'Miss Weil will be staying on for as long as is required to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership and to ensure that the best interests of the Miss South Africa organisation are served'.
Although the pageant has yet to make the official announcement, comments from industry insiders confirmed the news.
Former Miss SA creative director Werner Wessels posted: 'Proud of having stood behind this woman for so many years! THE Golden queen of Miss South Africa!'
Miss SA 2001 Vanessa Carreira commented: 'Wishing you everything of the very best for the future. You have been phenomenal.'
Pageant photographer SJ van Zyl added: 'So many amazing shoots, opportunities and things I've learnt from her. Big shoes to fill'.
In recent months, the Miss SA organisation has sparked speculation that something is amiss.
This is related to concerns over the delay in 2025's Top 30 announcement, pulling out of Miss Supranational licence, and rumours that it may cut ties with Miss Universe as well.
Werner Wessels' departure, a rumoured fraught relationship with former title holder Zozi Tunzi, and criticism of reigning queen Mia Le Roux have also been hot topics amongst pageant insiders. WHO OWNS NATIONAL BEAUTY PAGEANT?
According to its website, hotel and hospitality conglomerate Sun International acquired full ownership of the Miss SA pageant in 2000.
Before that, the pageant was sponsored by publications including the Sunday Times, Rapport, and the now defunct Afrikaans newspaper , Die Landstem.
In 2019, Sun International sold the rights to the pageant to Weil Entertainment, whose owner is CEO Stephanie Weil. The group remains a sponsor, and its entertainment property, the SunBet Arena, remains an official venue for the pageant.
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