It took two years of therapy sessions and life coaching for Natasha Joubert to build mental resilience for her second shot at the Miss South Africa title after her dismal placing at Miss Universe in 2020.
The newly-crowned Miss SA 2023 first entered the competition three years ago and finished second runner-up, which propelled her to the Miss Universe contest where she failed to secure a spot in the top 21.
Joubert knew she would not be able to close that chapter of her life without taking another crack at becoming a pageant queen.
The Pretoria beauty has since been on a journey of self-discovery, which she says bolstered her faith in herself to handle the challenges the contest and new SABC3 reality series Crown Chasers threw at her.
Those competing for the crown were placed in real life Miss SA scenarios that included a series of challenges which were aired over five episodes.
I think the public debate about returning contestants gives a beautiful message about second chances and resilience
— Natasha Joubert, Miss South Africa
Since Joubert's crowning on Sunday, public debate has been raging over whether returning contestants should be allowed to vie for the title because it could give them an unfair advantage over newbies.
“I think the public debate about returning contestants gives a beautiful message about second chances and resilience,” Joubert told the Sunday Times this week.
“It's 100% the legacy I want to leave behind. My biggest role models are the Miss South Africas who returned. If I look at Rolene Strauss, she came back a different person and went on to win Miss World.
“There is so much power in discovering yourself through failure ... Some people need to go through that growth to realise the potential they have.
“Miss South Africa is a job. If you can contribute to society and take on this job using your full potential, I can't see that being unfair,” she said.
The debate has been met with mixed reaction by former Miss SAs — including those who entered the contest more than once before winning.
Tansey Coetzee, who won on her third attempt in 2007, believes the entry criteria should be re-evaluated.
“If you enter a few times because you haven't had the opportunity to shine on the stage, that's one thing. However, we are entering new territory when contestants who have already been placed in the top three can re-enter.
2 - the number of times Natasha Joubert entered Miss South Africa
1-million - the number of viewers of the pageant on SABC3
— IN NUMBERS
Coetzee entered over three consecutive years. "The first and second year I did not place, so I was never on the Miss SA stage. The third time I entered I passed every round and won. I was given the opportunity to participate in both Miss World where I placed in the Top 5 and was runner up in the swimwear competition as well as Miss Universe where I placed in the top 15 and in the Top 10 national costume competition.
"I entered three times because I was not given the opportunity to be seen on the Miss SA pageant stage and I knew I was destined to win. I took the prior experience as growth and preparation to learn from and come back stronger. I was 23 years old when I won and back then the age requirements were different you couldn’t be older than 24 if I remember correctly so it was my last shot at the crown.
"I believe it is important to re-evaluate the criteria. If you enter a few times because you haven't had the opportunity to shine on the stage, that's one thing. However, we are entering new territory when contestants who have already been placed in the top three can re-enter. What are the lessons our young girls can learn from this? Is it not enough to be a princess or a runner-up?
"There is no need to recycle winners when our country has some of the most beautiful women in the world. It's unfair to all the other finalists on that stage because certain contestants already have an unfair advantage since they have worked closely with the organisation and all the major sponsors.
"When a contestant has already been chosen to represent South Africa at Miss Universe it completely demotivates the rest of the finalists because it becomes abundantly clear that they are being treated differently.
"Women should be empowered, motivated and inspired by beauty pageants. When lines are blurred like they are here, the message and meaning behind them is lost. Where is the sisterhood of stepping aside so others can shine?
:Of course, there is a place for giving others a second chance. I too had the opportunity to enter more than once; though it was markedly different as I was not placed at all.
But Amy Kleinhans, who won Miss SA in 1992 after entering twice, sees nothing wrong in all contestants re-entering.
“It confirms that the person is focused and determined as an individual and knows they will be a strong ambassador for their country and the youth.”
Miss SA CEO Stephanie Weil said an applicant may enter as many times as they wish. “There is no restriction and the Miss South Africa Organisation supports continued personal growth.
“However, the applicant may not have placed as a runner-up within the two preceding pageant years nor have previously held the title.
If you enter a few times because you haven't had the opportunity to shine on the stage, that's one thing. However, we are entering new territory when contestants who have already been placed in the top three can re-enter
— Tansey Coetzee, former Miss South Africa
The organisation said South Africa will be represented at Miss Universe — not by Joubert as she's a former entrant but by a runner-up — but not at Miss World as the “Miss South Africa organisation no longer holds the rights to send a contestant to Miss World”.
Joubert said had she not won this year, she would not have entered again.
“I have given my all and I feel if what I did here and the way I showed up wasn't enough, then I don't think anything else would have been because this truly was one of the best versions I could put out there.”
She found Crown Chasers challenging.
“In the two-year run-up I really worked on myself. With Crown Chasers we had to do all these challenges [and] when I would get frustrated or tired mental strength played a big role.”
SABC3 spokesperson Caroline Phalakatshela said more than 1-million viewers watched the final last Sunday.
“Crown Chasers also performed well for the channel, increasing audience numbers to an average of 171,724 and hitting the channels slot target of 2% share at 4pm. The Miss South Africa property was a success for S3 and the SABC in general.”
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