Latest news with #WernerWessels
The Herald
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald
Miss South Africa 2025 postponed due to global events
The Miss South Africa organisation has announced the postponement of the pageant to a later date in 2025. This is to ensure greater alignment with international and other global events. 'The organisation, through its affiliated companies, aims to broaden the reach and impact of the pageant and its contestants,' spokesperson Kenneth Makhanya said. 'The pillars of the organisation will be expanded to include entrepreneurship, job creation, cultural awareness and social cohesion.' The Miss SA pageant typically takes place in August. Entries for the 2025 pageant opened on April 2 and closed on April 11. Concerns have been raised about the prolonged announcement of the top 30 contestants. 'The organisers of the Miss South Africa contest are making good progress with the preparations for the contest, which will be a huge success,' the organisation said. The postponement comes after Miss SA CEO Stephanie Weil stepped down from her role earlier this month. Creative director Werner Wessels also resigned earlier this year. In May, the organisation pulled out of the Miss Supranational international competition.
The South African
2 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Miss SA 2025 POSTPONED amid rumours pageant is 'over'
Miss South Africa – or Miss SA – has officially postponed its 2025 crowning ceremony, just days after CEO Stephanie Weil stepped down. The news has fuelled rumours amongst pageant fans who believe the end may be in sight for the national competition. The pageant has yet to announce its Top 30 finalists. MISS SA POSTPONED! In a press statement posted on pageant fanpage @misssafandom, the Miss SA organisation announced that the finale would be postponed from August to a later date in 2025. This was one to 'ensure the alignment with international and other global events.' The statement added: 'The organisation, through its affiliated companies, aims to broaden the reach and impact of the pageant and its contestants. Organisers stated that Miss SA would be rebranded to include the pillars of entrepreneurship, job creation, cultural awareness, and social cohesion. The postponement of Miss SA comes after two key figures have left the organisation – CEO Stephanie Weil and Creative Director Werner Wessels. Although the organisation has relinquished its licence to Miss Supranational and Miss World, it is still expected to participate in Miss Universe, which takes place on 21 November in Thailand. Pageant fanpage @missuupdates asked in the comment section: 'How does it align with international pageants if there is less preparation? The pageant is in November!' Another, @missuniversewishlist questioned: Will the winner end up going to Miss Universe?'. Miss SA organisation was previously owned by Sun International, a hotel and event conglomerate in South Africa. In 2019, Sun International sold the rights to the pageant to Weil Entertainment, whose owner is CEO Stephanie Weil. Stephanie Weil has stepped down as Miss SA CEO. Who will fill in her shoes?Images via Instagram: @stephweil Now, the pageant has been taken under the wing of Africa Fashion International, which has vowed to 'embark on this strategic journey together, leveraging our unique strengths to drive growth and innovation.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
What is happening at Miss SA? CEO responds to rampant rumours
Miss South Africa – or Miss SA – has quelled rampant rumours that there is trouble brewing within the pageant. This comes months after the organisation – run by CEO Stephanie Weil – closed entries for the crowning of the incoming queen. Earlier this year, creative director Werner Wessels parted ways with the organisation to pursue other interests. On social media, pageant fan accounts have been speculating that something is amiss in the Miss SA organisation. For many, the following has been a big talking point. No news of the Top 30 announcement. The Miss SA closed its applications in April. Finalists are typically shortlisted in May, where the road to the finale begins. Pulling out of Miss Supranational. Last month, pageant organisers announced that the pageant had not renewed its licence to participate in the Miss Supranational. Instead, it had been bought by former queen Bokang Montjane, who will operate it independently of the national competition. Criticism surrounding Mia Le Roux. The pageant's first differently abled queen has kept a low profile after her exit from the Miss Universe finale last year due to health reasons. Werner Wessels's departure. The creative director was a driving force for many successful Miss SA titleholders who went on to win international pageants, like Zozibini Tunzi, Rolene Strauss, and Demi-Nel Tebow. Cutting ties from Miss Universe? Rumours are rampant that Miss SA will not renew its licence to participate in the Miss Universe pageant, as it has done with Supra and Miss World. Zozi Tunzi distancing herself as a former title winner. In 2023, Zozi quietly ended her working relationship with organisers over disputes about her work on the reality show, Crown Chasers . She has since removed 'Miss SA' from her Instagram bio. This week, Miss SA rubbished claims that the pageant is possibly facing delays and setbacks. CEO Stephanie Weil said in a statement: 'The new Miss SA will be chosen. Planning is well underway for the 67th competition. All details will be announced in the near future. Weil did not respond to comments about the Miss Universe licence. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Miss SA cuts ties with Supranational crown - for good?
According to pageant insiders, Miss South Africa, or Miss SA, has unofficially cut ties with Miss Supranational, which is set to take place next month. The international pageant could follow the likes of the Miss World, which is no longer affiliated with the South African pageant, as it was sold to an independent titleholder, businesswoman Carol Bouwer. The news comes weeks after Miss SA's Creative Director, Werner Wessels, resigned. It also comes after pageant queen Mia Le Roux withdrew from the 2024 Miss Universe pageant over health concerns. According to the Instagram pageant fan page @missuniverseza, Miss SA has allegedly ended its participation in the Miss Supranational international pageant, which will take place on 27 June in Poland. It shared in a post: 'I think it's pretty evident that this year we won't be competing at the Miss Supranational. 'It's definitely a sad and cruel twist of fate. I think South Africans wanted to see Mia [Le Roux] thrive on a platform that would've definitely been more inclusive. This just adds to another long list of disappointments by the Miss SA org. It continued: 'It's entirely unfair to deny South African women the chance of being on international platforms, where they have a global audience and focus. 'Taking away these licenses is an extension of stripping away their voices and taking away the opportunity to advocate and lead initiatives that demand global attention. It's robbing them of the opportunity to show South Africa in her colours and boast our unique flair'. The South African has reached out to Miss SA for comment. None has been received at the time of publishing. In 2021, Miss SA runner-up Thato Mosehle became the first South African representative to compete at the Miss Supranational pageant. She was crowned the second-runner up. A year later, Lalela Mswane – the South African titleholder – competed in the international pageant, which she won. In 2023, Miss SA runner-up Ayanda Thabethe placed in the Top 5. Despite landing in the Top 12, Bryoni Govender was named Miss Supranational Africa 2024. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
