Who is the Miss Intercontinental South Africa 2023?

Nikiwe Makondo Crowned Miss Intercontinental SA

Nikiwe Makondo, a beautiful 19-year-old lady from Green Farm village in Malamulele, was crowned Miss Intercontinental South Africa 2023 during a ceremony held at Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre on Sunday, 9 July. She will represent South Africa in Egypt in October to compete for the title of Miss Intercontinental 2023.

Makondo holds the title of second princess in the Miss Teenager South Africa 2022 pageant and was a semi-finalist in the Miss Tembisa 2021 pageant. Drawing strength from her unique background and cultural heritage, Makondo brings a fresh and distinctive perspective to the pageant.

In an interview with this newspaper, she shared her awe-inspiring journey to the crown and the determination that accompanied it. “I feel elated, honoured, and grateful for all the support I have received up until now. I believe what sets me apart is my profound understanding of my purpose within this industry. I want to show young Tsonga girls that their dreams are valid. It is an integral part of the greater purpose that God has set out for me. I am also a passionate advocate for mental health issues and holistic health approaches,” she said.

Currently in her final year studying international relations at the University of Pretoria, Makondo firmly believes that transforming, inspiring, and empowering people through pageantry is an ongoing mission. She has been greatly influenced by renowned model and beauty pageant titleholder Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala, who wore the Miss SA crown in 2010 and is the director of the Miss Intercontinental SA pageant.

Reacting to news of Makondo’s crowning, Collins Chabane Municipality Mayor Shadrack Maluleke said her crowning sends a clear message to the young women of Collins Chabane, that ‘you can achieve anything if you remain focused on your objectives.’ 

“To her, we say, you are an inspiration to millions, particularly young women and children, to never stop dreaming and believe in themselves,” the mayor added.

In 2022, Nikiwe Makonde was crowned 2nd princess for Miss Teen South Africa, and she’s optimistic about her next journey of becoming the 1st princess of Miss Intercontinental