Miss SA 2026 is on Saturday: what time it starts and where to watch

Miss South Africa 2026 will be crowned on Saturday, 14 November, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, and you can watch it live on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) from 19:30 (Miss South Africa; The South African).

The finale moves from its usual home at Pretoria's SunBet Arena. Twelve finalists are competing for the crown held by Qhawekazi Mazaleni (The South African).

What time does Miss SA 2026 start?

Sources: Miss South Africa, The South African.

Actor and presenter Lawrence Maleka and former Miss South Africa Jo-Ann Strauss are hosting. The Ndlovu Youth Choir and JAZZWRLD featuring Thukuthela will perform (The South African; Miss South Africa).

Who are the Top 12?

Alia Khan Koumantarakis, Amogelang Bunu, Bonolo Marang Motau, Cwenga Koyana Kotu-Rammopo, Katlego Malebye, Lesego Khumo Nyathela, Makhosazana Azana Masango, Ndiwanga Muravha, Palesa van Rooyen, Simoné Nonhlanhla Tshituka, Tiyani Makamu and Zoalize Jansen Van Rensburg (Miss South Africa).

Music fans may know Makhosazana Masango as the singer Azana. The group includes a creative entrepreneur from Durban, a speech therapist from Mabopane and a brand marketer from Johannesburg (The South African).

Who are the judges?

Five judges will pick the winner. Among them are former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, Miss South Africa 2023 Natasha Vermaak and Dr Musa Mthombeni (The South African).

How much are tickets?

Source: Miss South Africa. Tickets are sold through Ticketpro, and entry is for over-18s only. The South African reports tickets are also available in store at House of Nala at Oceans Mall and Sandton City (The South African).

Can you still vote?

The organisers say public votes are cast in the official Miss SA App (Miss South Africa). The official voting site showed voting as closed on Friday morning, saying it will reopen when the pageant team opens the next round (Miss SA Voting). Use only the official app or misssa.co.za links, not third-party voting pages.

What do the finalists get?

All 12 will be named Empower Youth Africa ambassadors on finale night, whether they win or not, under this year's theme "From Imbokodo to Diamond" (Miss South Africa). The organisation also announced a contribution of nearly R5 million to its women's leadership impact fund ahead of the finale (The South African).

If you miss the build-up, all seven episodes of The Journey to Miss South Africa: The Mandate are on stream.misssa.co.za (Miss South Africa).