With just under a week until the 71st Miss Universe Pageant takes place in New Orleans, Miss South Africa Ndavi Nokeri is poised and ready to take on almost 90 contestants from around the globe.
Nokeri's whirlwind trip to the US began early last week in New York City, where final preparations for hair and makeup were interspersed with visits to Times Square, Rockefeller Centre and promoting her #Ed-Unite campaign.
From New York, she flew to New Orleans on Wednesday for registration and fittings. The preliminary event and national costume competition will take place mid-week, followed by the final pageant next Saturday.
“It’s my first time in the US and it’s been an incredible experience so far, starting off with amazing food and my very first Shake Shack burger when we landed in New York,” Nokeri told the Sunday Times.
Zozi told me to just be confident when I get out there, be myself, and trust my instinct
— Ndavi Nokeri
“We have had such an exciting itinerary in New Orleans, from exploring the city, to workshops and rehearsals.
"Meeting all the girls in the competition in person after getting to know them through social media has been fantastic.
"And I’m really looking forward to representing South Africa on a global stage.”
South Africa has produced three Miss Universe winners: Margaret Gardiner in 1978; Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (now Demi-Leigh Tebow) in 2017; and Zozibini Tunzi in 2019.
“Zozi and Demi have been so supportive and just to be able to look up to them — and also to Margaret — is so inspirational,” she said.
“Zozi told me to just be confident when I get out there, be myself, and trust my instinct. I’m thrilled that our team from South Africa is coming out to support me — and I am overjoyed that my parents are going to be right there with me in the arena, cheering me on.”
Born in the village of Gabaza in Tzaneen, Limpopo, and the youngest of two brothers and four sisters, the 23-year-old beauty queen credits her large family with her success at navigating life challenges.
“I come from a big family and I absolutely love my siblings, so I’ve always lived with many different personalities — and it’s been helpful for handling different kinds of situations and connecting with people.”
Nokeri has a BCom investment management degree from the University of Pretoria, and at one time sport was her greatest passion.
“When I was younger, I wasn’t very much into fashion or modelling, but I did a lot of sport. I actually had an ambition of becoming a professional athlete one day and representing South Africa as a netball player,” she laughed.
“It’s funny how things work out in that I still get to represent South Africa — but on a whole different platform. I used to dance ballet and my parents always encouraged me to explore — and now, I’ve finally found the one thing that I would like to pursue for the rest of my life.”
Miss South Africa CEO Stephanie Weil said: “One of the biggest things that makes Ndavi so special, is that she’s authentic to the core. She’s genuine, stands by her beliefs, and is a champion of our country.
“Both of her parents being pastors has also instilled deep values and a close-knit foundation of respect and togetherness. They are incredibly close to God and it brings out the very best of Ndavi.
"It was also very similar with Zozi and Demi-Leigh … They were from small towns, but their strong sense of faith and closeness in the family allowed them to give back to their communities, and to be proud of where they came from.”
Nokeri brought five enormous pieces of luggage filled to the brim with extraordinary outfits and accessories, including her national costume designed by Skhalo Sello Medupi.
“My national costume represents my Tsonga culture, Africa, and South Africa. It’s going to be an honour to wear that on the Miss Universe stage — and just show the power that lies in Africa.”
Should she take the crown Saturday night, Nokeri would relocate to New York, where the Miss Universe Organisation is based.
“If I were to win Miss Universe, definitely my life would change — but actually, moving to America doesn’t seem like a bad idea at all,” she said.
“I’ve never been one to box myself in or limit myself from the things that I want in life. Moving to America would be exotic and exciting. I might have to adjust to the weather, but that’s a very small price to pay for all the opportunities that await.”
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