{"id":1434,"date":"2026-10-27T04:06:24","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T04:06:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stokveltalk.co.za\/?p=1434"},"modified":"2026-10-27T04:06:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T04:06:24","slug":"advocate-thuli-madonsela-among-miss-south-africa-2026-judges-lawrence-maleka-and-jo-ann-strauss-to-host","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stokveltalk.co.za\/?p=1434","title":{"rendered":"Advocate Thuli Madonsela among Miss South Africa 2026 judges; Lawrence Maleka and Jo-Ann Strauss to host"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Advocate <strong>Thuli Madonsela<\/strong>\u00a0has been named among the judges for the Miss South Africa 2026 finale, with\u00a0<strong>Lawrence Maleka<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Jo-Ann Strauss<\/strong>\u00a0confirmed as the main-show hosts. The announcements build on the recently revealed date, venue and first performers for the crowning at the\u00a0<strong>Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday, 14 November 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joining Madonsela on the five-member judging panel are\u00a0<strong>Natasha Vermaak,\u00a0<\/strong>Miss South Africa 2023<strong>; Dr. Musa Mthombeni;\u00a0<\/strong>and<strong>\u00a0Pumla Molope, president of African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA).<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The panel brings together perspectives from law, healthcare, finance and entertainment, connecting the finale to the platform\u2019s wider focus on leadership and public purpose. For the twelve finalists, the evening will mark not only the selection of a new titleholder, but the next step in a mandate to lead, inspire and create meaningful impact.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maleka and Strauss will guide the main show through to the crowning of Miss South Africa 2026. On the official red carpet,\u00a0<strong>Kuhle Adams<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Katleho Sinivasan<\/strong>\u00a0will welcome guests ahead of the finale.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The judging-panel announcement gives renewed context to\u00a0The Mandate, Miss South Africa\u2019s seven-part premium documentary series following nineteen young women through a journey of leadership, entrepreneurship, personal transformation and public purpose ahead of the finale. The series looks beyond the competition to explore the aspirations, resilience and ambition of a new generation of African women. Its central question is not simply who will win, but who will lead; and how influence can be used to serve others.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That message continues on the finale stage. One woman will receive the crown, but all twelve finalists carry a responsibility to advocate, inspire and create impact. Through Empower Youth Africa (EYA), Miss South Africa\u2019s purpose extends beyond the title to empowering young people and creating pathways to opportunity.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The finale will unfold under the creative theme \u201cFrom Imbokodo to Diamond\u201d, celebrating South African women\u2019s strength, resilience and leadership. The production will combine African heritage, contemporary fashion, music and storytelling, drawing on Imbokodo as a symbol of women\u2019s strength and contribution to society, and on the brilliance of the diamond.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As previously announced, the\u00a0<strong>Ndlovu Youth Choir<\/strong>\u00a0will take to stage. Now joining them are Amapiono sensation\u00a0<strong>Young Stunna<\/strong>\u00a0and Mzansi national\u00a0<strong>Philharmonic Orchestra\u00a0<\/strong>bringing together voices, rhythm and orchestral grandeur for an unforgettable evening of music, celebration and storytelling<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tickets remain on sale through\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/shop.ticketpro.co.za\/event\/miss-south-africa-2026-finale-kmyk9i\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/shop.ticketpro.co.za\/event\/miss-south-africa-2026-finale-kmyk9i&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1793159534083000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Z3jNKp1PkhzcceA9fDAcX\">Ticketpro<\/a>, with Silver tickets at R450, Gold at R600, VIP at R1,600 and VVIP at R2,000. The red carpet opens at 16:00, and doors to the finale arena open at 19:00. Admission is restricted to guests aged 18 and over.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Audiences can watch\u00a0The Mandate\u00a0at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.misssa.co.za\/the-mandate\/\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.misssa.co.za\/the-mandate\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1793159534083000&amp;usg=AOvVaw12WhMdphwx4nhnMwwB03AE\">misssa.co.za\/the-mandate<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0Advocate Thuli Madonsela\u00a0has been named among the judges for the Miss South Africa 2026 finale,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1435,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Advocate Thuli Madonsela among Miss South Africa 2026 judges; 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