Mrs South Africa 2026 Semis Judges Showcase Revealed
Mrs South Africa 2026 Semis Judges Showcase Revealed. Only a few days to go before the highly anticipated Mrs South Africa 2026 Semi-Final Showcase. This is where the pageant will announce and sash its Top 30 Finalists with the reigning Mrs South Africa Carika Bebb.
The event also marks as a way to celebrate the remarkable journeys of transformation and empowerment each Semi-Finalist has put into her Journey, and this spectacular is a true unveiling of each woman’s Masterpiece moment.
The judges for the bug night have just been unveiled. One of the is Tshego Gaelae, who was crowned Mrs South Africa 2024, She also made history as the first Black woman to be crowned Mrs World in Las Vegas in January 2025. Aside from being a beauty queen, Tshego is a distinguished corporate professional, director, legal and transformation specialist whose career has been defined by leadership, excellence, and meaningful impact within the corporate and public sectors. Beyond her professional and pageant achievements, she is deeply committed to philanthropic initiatives focused on the social upliftment of school-going children.
Another one of the judges, is Matapa Maila. She was crowned Mrs South Africa 2019
and later earned the title of First Runner-Up at Mrs World. Matapa has continued to inspire women through her leadership, resilience and commitment to excellence. Today, she serves as Principal Judge and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Mrs South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
Mrs South Africa 2020, Jacqueline Ferns is also part of the judging panel. She made history as the only titleholder to also receive the Mrs Charity Crown – a testament to her unwavering commitment to service, purpose, and impact. Above every title and achievement, Jacqueline is a devoted mother to her son, a role she considers her greatest blessing and most meaningful accomplishment. Passionate about empowering women, championing children, and creating lasting change, she lives by the conviction that we are called to leave the world better than we found it – leading with faith, purpose, and a heart for others.
Another judge is Dr Mpho Phalatse, an award-winning speaker, change-agent and businesswoman with a heart for community. With a background in politics, business, medicine and ministry, she has made significant contributions to public health and community development. She has travelled extensively around the globe forging strategic partnerships, serving as Africa Vice-Chairperson for C40 Cities to confront climate change. She is a distinguished medical doctor and influential nation builder, formerly the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg.
Lastly is Nivi Grogor, a dynamic leader and the visionary founder of iME, a platform dedicated to merging technology with personal and professional growth. She steers the strategic direction of iME, focusing on creating products that enhance self-improvement, empowerment, and digital advancement for both individuals and businesses. Nivi guides a team of innovators, builds strategic partnerships, and promotes initiatives that help users realise their fullest potential. Her unique combination of technical expertise and empathetic leadership has established iME as a trusted resource in the video tech-driven development space, inspiring a growing community committed to unlocking personal and professional potential.
