Miss SA 2026: When and where is the finale?

This year things have been a little different from previous years of the Miss South Africa pageant. Usually, the finale is held in August each year. However, last year the finale was held in October and this year it will fall in November.

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE MISS SA 2026 FINALE?

The Miss SA 2026 finale will take place on Saturday 14 November at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. This is a change from the SunBet Arena in Pretoria. The finale marks a major moment in this year’s competition, which has placed an emphasis on developing young women as leaders and changemakers, rather than focusing solely on the crown.

The event will be held under the theme From Imbokodo to Diamond, celebrating South African women’s strength, resilience, leadership and contributions to society. The production is expected to combine African heritage, contemporary fashion, music and storytelling.

According to the Miss South Africa Organisation, the official red carpet will open at 16:00. Doors to the main finale arena opening at 19:00. The event is restricted to guests aged 18 and older. Television presenter Lawrence Maleka and former Miss South Africa Jo-Ann Strauss have been confirmed as the hosts of the main show.

Television personalities Kuhle Adams and Kat Sinivasan will host the official red carpet, welcoming guests and showcasing the evening’s fashion moments before the main ceremony begins. The entertainment line-up includes the Ndlovu Youth Choir, amapiano star Young Stunna and the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra.

The reigning Miss SA is Qhawekazi Mazaleni, who is moving out of her Miss SA dream apartment as she completed her one full year of reign. Take a look inside the apartment here.

A NEW ERA FOR THE CROWN

Now that the Miss SA winner and runners up will not be competing at any international pageant, what would be their focus?

This year’s competition is the first full season under the organisation’s reinvention by the Motsepe Foundation, through Precious Moloi-Motsepe’s Empower Youth Africa (EYA) initiative.

The organisers have described this shift as moving the pageant beyond traditional beauty-contest territory, positioning it instead as a platform for leadership, entrepreneurship, and social impact.

Contestants are expected to engage with issues like youth unemployment, access to education, health and wellness, financial literacy, and civic engagement as part of their journey to the crown.