Miss South Africa is “pushing more boundaries” by including all women in its beauty pageant this year.
Th pageant opened applications at the weekend, announcing that married women, those with children and tattoos can compete in the national competition. Applications will close on Friday.
“This year we have pushed more boundaries than ever before and we are delighted to welcome all women who are ready to step onto our leadership platform and be the next ambassador for South Africa,” said Stephanie Weil, CEO of Miss SA.
“We, as women, are so many things. We can be business owners, leaders, innovators, influencers, mothers, daughters, philanthropists, role models, ambassadors and queens all at the same time.
“Showcasing the multi-diverse nature of all this will be at the core of the competition. Miss SA is no longer only a one night pageant. Viewers are going to get to know the finalists during the television show.”
Who can enter?
The category of women who may enter Miss SA include:
- married, engaged and divorced women;
- women with children;
- all sexual orientations;
- cisgender and transgender women;
- no height or weight restrictions, and;
- women with multiple piercings and tattoos.
“Married women and those with children will be allowed to enter for the first time. The age of entrants has also been modified. An applicant must be at least 20 years old and must be under 30 years of age as of August 13 2023. This means an applicant can turn 30 within their year of reign (starting August 2023). There are also no height or weight specifications or requirements,” said the organisers.
Previously only unmarried women, those who are childless and those who do not have tattoos could enter the competition.
In 2014 the organisation banned three semi-finalists because of their visible tattoos.
Kelly Davids, Altina Vries and Aseza Matanzima were disqualified once it came to the attention of the organisers and sponsors that they had not met the criteria as stipulated on the entry form rules by having a visible tattoo.
“I know the entry form said no visible tattoos but my tattoo is so small and most times it can't be seen unless my hair is tied up. I am shocked and a little disappointed, but rules are rules,” Davids told TimesLIVE at the time.
TimesLIVE
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