Ndavi Nokeri Crowned Miss South Africa 2022

Pic: Denver de Wee

Ndavi Nokeri from Gavaza Village in Tzaneen becomes Miss South Africa 2022

Ndavi Nokeri is Miss South Africa 2022, and after her crowning, Mzansi went wild. She is the first Tsonga woman to become Miss South Africa, and she has to be applauded for doing so well in a competition that was tough, as there were many amazing women this year.

The 23-year-old Ndavi Nokeri from Tzaneen in Limpopo was crowned in a glitzy ceremony on Saturday night at Time Square’s SunBet Arena in Pretoria . . . it was a night that we were all waiting for, to see who would take the crown, after months of prepartion and grooming for the girls.

She was one of the top three contestants, together with Lebogang Mahlangu and Ayanda Thabethe.

And during the final question-and-answer session, when asked what the most important thing is to keep the unity of our nation, the new Miss SA 2022 said that history is the greatest teacher.

“To know where you are going, you need to know where you come from. Being a nation that comes from a history of a past of racial segregation, we know that when we were divided, we were at our weakest. So as Miss South Africa I would implore us to stand together and embrace every single culture, gender, race and sexuality because in our diversity we are strong.”

Ndavi Nokeri once crowned had this to say in her acceptance speech:

“I am Miss SA 2022. I have uttered these words more than a thousand times before, but to be able to say it today and it actually being my reality is so humbling. Look at God”. She also went on to thank her parents, family and the people who have been supporting her through this entire journey.

“For a girl from Gabaza to be seen, embraced and chosen to represent her country is a groundbreaking moment. A moment that reaffirms that our dreams are valid, regardless of where we come from,” she said.

As the new Miss South Africa, Nokeri will get R1 million in cash in a prize and sponsorship package totalling more than R3-million. This includes the use of a beautiful modern apartment at the lavish Ellipse Waterfall for the duration of her reign. She will also get a Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan, to transport her anywhere she needs to go.

The runner-up Ayanda Thabethe from Pietermaritzburg in KZN receives a R150 000 cash prize.

Nokeri will represent South Africa at the Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss Supranational pageants, and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes her.

For a Tsonga woman to win . . . this is huge for us Tsonga people, as we have been marginalised and underappreciated for the longest time. So, in closing, I say Tsonga people RISE!