Nomalanga Shozi and Pamela Mtanga will join forces as hosts of the Miss SA pageant this weekend. Ahead of their duties, they chat to Sowetan about the excitement of their biggest career moment:
How does it feel to be stepping into the Miss SA hosting duties?
Nomalanga: It feels absolutely amazing. I’m deeply humbled and incredibly grateful. God is so good. This is such an iconic stage. A place where dreams, talent and purpose all meet. To be trusted to lead that moment feels like a full-circle blessing.
Pamela: It feels surreal. Miss SA is one of the most prestigious platforms on the continent, and being entrusted with this is an honour. It’s not just about hosting; it’s about representing the new wave of women who are shaping culture and entertainment in SA.
What made you say yes?
Nomalanga: It’s a platform that uplifts women, and I’m all about women stepping into spaces that allow them to lead, speak and change the world. Miss SA has evolved into something powerful and purposeful.
Pamela: What excites me the most about this year is the celebration of SA women in all their diversity. It’s not just about beauty; it’s about impact, authenticity and power.
What can viewers expect in terms of your dynamic onscreen?
Pamela: We haven’t started prepping together just yet, but I’ve been such a big fan of Nomalanga. She has this incredible presence and energy that’s impossible to ignore, and we’ll bring out the best in each other on stage. The idea of two women who represent different but equally powerful parts of our culture coming together is exciting.
Nomalanga: I love Pamela’s energy and her commitment to excellence. We are both passionate, prepared and powerful. Sharing this moment with her is exciting because we both believe in the magic of women showing up for one another.
“We’ll bring out the best in each other on stage.”
— Pamela Mtanga
How do you prepare for such a big stage?
Nomalanga: Lots of prayer and stillness. I protect my energy fiercely because focus is everything. The people I keep around me are intentional, calm, grounded and positive. When you’re in a space that big, it’s not about the noise; it’s about staying centred so that you can truly connect with the audience.
Pamela: I’m focusing on grounding myself. There’s obviously a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into rehearsals and production prep, but the biggest thing for me is mental preparation and knowing that I’m walking into one of the biggest moments of my career.
Let’s talk fashion. What can we expect?
Nomalanga: Fashion is such a big part of how I tell my story, and this year I want to make it clear to the world that South African designers can hold their own anywhere. I’ll be wearing garments from AFI and some of my favourite local creatives. Expect a true fashion feast with elegance, movement and edge all in one night.
What does Miss SA represent to a new generation of women?
Pamela: Miss SA represents possibility. It’s about redefining what success looks like for women today: strong, intelligent, ambitious and unapologetic. For this generation, Miss SA is no longer just a crown; it’s a platform that says you can be all of these things and more, on your own terms.
