Miss South Africa Ndavi Shows off Her National Costume
Reigning queen Miss South Africa 2022, Ndavi Nokeri, revealed her national costume that she will wear at the 71st Miss Universe pageant, taking place next month in the United States.
The reveal took place at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, emceed by 2019 Miss South Africa and Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, featuring praise singer Masingita Shimbambu and Nokeri’s extended family including her father Moses and her mother Betty Nokeri, brothers Ntwanano and Nyiko and sisters Fanisa, Cindy, Molcy, and Vutchilo Nokeri.
The beauty queen will be representing Mzansi at the upcoming Miss Universe competition in New Orleans, Louisiana – revealing her costume that also aims at paying homage to the international rise of Africa, as the continent continues to influence global pop culture.
Miss South Africa Ndavi Nokeri spoke about the symbolism of the dresses in relation to South African history. “These gowns are absolutely spectacular. They give the audience a glimpse of what they can expect on the Miss Universe stage in January. It is gold with precious stones which represent South Africa’s mineral wealth and makes Ndavi look like the South African queen that she is. However, it is also simple enough so that her own beauty can shine through”, said Nokeri.
The reigning queen further expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to represent the Tsonga tribe, who are under-represented.
“My national costume and gowns are spectacular and everything that I could have dreamed of to feel confident on the Miss Universe stage. I am delighted that my national costume incorporates my Tsonga culture. From the very beginning of my Miss South Africa journey, I always wanted people to know that I was standing for the Tsonga people because growing up as a child I felt as if we were under-represented.
“At the same time, we’ve incorporated the fact that I’m South African and African; this is so beautiful because I’ve come to learn that as Africans we are more alike than we are different thanks to our shared experiences and values. It is a proud moment for me to make all Africans feel seen, understood, and represented”, said Nokeri.
Miss South Africa Organisation’s creative director, Werner Wessels, said the national costume is of critical importance when it comes to showcasing the country of the pageant contestant, while it is also one of the favourite events for Miss Universe fans and followers.
“We always put a lot of effort into it because it is where we can be proudly South African and really showcase the country on an international stage,” he explained.
Wessels further cemented the cultural importance of Miss South Africa’s outfits, saying this year the aim is to give the national costume a distinct African feel.
“We love the fact that Ndavi is proudly Tsonga. It is at the very core of who she is, and so part of the costume is inspired by her Tsonga culture and it is beautifully represented in the choice and use of fabrics.”
The inner costume is made by Sello Medupe of Scalo Designs, who also designed the national costume for Thato Mosehle at Miss Supranational last year.
The national costume also includes a set of wings built by Henk Henderson of Henderson Worx.
“With the wings, we wanted to showcase flight and represent something that is ascending because African women in the world are busy rising; we are seeing this in so many pop culture moments such as The Woman King and Wakanda Forever. Audiences are really taking notice of African culture – specifically focused on African women – and Ndavi is proud to represent that”, explained Wessels.
Nokeri also unveiled her farewell gown, designed by Juan Visser of Juan William Aria, who is responsible for all her pageant gowns including her preliminary outfit and finale gown.
Watch the 2022 Miss SA Crowning Moment