Tiyani Makamu Crowned Miss South Africa 2026
Makamu won the title at a finale held at the Sandton Convention Centre, with Cwenga Koyana Kotu-Rammopo and Lesego Khumo Nyathela named princesses.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Africa
Tiyani Makamu was crowned Miss South Africa 2026 at a finale held at the Sandton Convention Centre. The Top 5 also included Cwenga Koyana Kotu-Rammopo, Lesego Khumo Nyathela, Makhosazana Azana Masango and Simoné Nonhlanhla Tshituka.
Why it matters
The result determines who represents South Africa on the international pageant stage in the year ahead. The finale also drew attention to Zoalize Janse van Rensburg, a former Miss World South Africa title holder who did not make this year's Top 5.
The finale placed five finalists in the Top 5, and Janse van Rensburg, aged 20, was not among them despite her 2024 Miss World South Africa win. How the Top 5 was selected from the full entrant field has not been detailed in the source.
The players
Tiyani Makamu
Makamu is the newly crowned Miss South Africa 2026 who won the national pageant title at the finale.
Zoalize Janse van Rensburg
Janse van Rensburg is a 20-year-old law student and former Miss World South Africa title holder who was excluded from this year's Top 5.
The details
Makamu was named Miss South Africa 2026 at the finale, after which the Top 5 was announced. Janse van Rensburg, a 20-year-old law student, entered Miss South Africa for the first time this year and was excluded from the Top 5.
Timeline
2023: Janse van Rensburg placed first princess at Miss World South Africa.
2024: Janse van Rensburg won the Miss World South Africa crown and spoke at a UN conference.
2025: Janse van Rensburg represented South Africa at Miss World in India and did not make the Top 40.
14 November 2026: Makamu was crowned Miss South Africa 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Travel Outlook
Janse van Rensburg's trajectory, from first princess in 2023 to Miss World South Africa in 2024 and a Top 40 finish at Miss World in India in 2025, shows a national pageant circuit where a prior title does not guarantee placement in the next competition. Her exclusion from the 2026 Top 5 sits within that cycle of repeated national and international appearances.
Visitors planning to attend a Miss South Africa event should check venue and ticketing details directly with the organisers, as the source does not provide dates for upcoming events. Travellers to the Sandton Convention Centre area can plan transport and accommodation in advance of major finales.
The takeaway
Pageant results can shift quickly from year to year, so following a contestant's full competition history offers a clearer picture than any single title. Readers interested in South African events can track announced finales directly through the host venues.
Further reading
Explore more on Africa travel and events across the continent.
