A new South African beauty queen has been crowned.
University student Shudufhadzo Musida, 24, from Limpopo won the Miss South Africa 2020 title at the Table Bay Hotel on Saturday evening.
The 62nd annual pageant, which had strict adherence to social distancing, was particularly special as it was the first time the pageant was held in the Mother City.
Upon receiving her crown, the shaven-head beauty said: “It feels amazing. It feels surreal because during the whole time, all I could think about was ‘Oh my God, everyone in my village is watching! Everyone at home is watching.”
“All I could think about was the time when I used to watch this show at my grandfather’s house in Venda and I’d think ‘Would I ever get there?’
“So I took the plunge and the first thing I said before I entered was ‘What do I have to lose?’”
Klerksdorp medical doctor Thato Mosehle, 25, was named the first princess while 23-year-old PR officer Natasha Joubert, from Centurion, finished second princess.
But while Cape Town did not feature in the top three, Jordan van der Vyver, 25, from Green Point was named Motherkind Fitness Ambassador following the Miss SA swimsuit photoshoot showcase at Clifton Beach.
The show was hosted by Nomzamo Mbatha and Lalla Hirayama and featured pre-recorded performances by the likes of Mi Casa, Sho Madjozi and Jimmy Nevis.
The judges, who gave Musida the final nod, were former Miss SA Peggy-Sue Khumalo, TV personality Anele Mdoda, actress and entrepreneur Leandie du Randt, actress Kim Engelbrecht, and former 2019 title holder and Miss Universe 2019, Zozibini Tunzi.
Along with the Miss SA crown, Musida walks away with prizes and sponsorships worth up to R3 million.
She receives R1m in prize money from the Miss SA Organisation and for one year, she receives a fully furnished apartment in Sandton as well as a larney Mercedes-Benz C200 Cabriolet.