South Africa has officially named its next representative for the global beauty stage, crowning 23-year-old Bajabulise Thela as Miss Universe South Africa 2026. The KaNyamazane-born beauty queen emerged victorious during a national finale hosted at the Barnyard Theatre in Menlyn, Pretoria, where outgoing titleholder Melissa Nayimuli presented her with the crown. Having navigated a competitive selection process that narrowed thirty national finalists down to nine for the grand finale, Thela earned the right to carry the South African flag at the 75th Miss Universe competition, scheduled for San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Originating from Mpumalanga, Bajabulise Thela is a marketing graduate holding a degree in Marketing and Sales, a qualified flight attendant, model and entrepreneur. Beyond her professional achievements and work in front of the camera, she is deeply committed to social impact through her philanthropic endeavors. She is the founder of the Mambane Foundation, a non-profit organization established to fight hunger, improve food security, and support disadvantaged communities across her region.
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Thela’s national victory is the culmination of a well-established journey in the pageantry world. She made history as the inaugural Miss Teen Grand winner in 2021 before going on to claim the Miss Mpumalanga title in 2024, laying the groundwork for her national success. Following her crowning, Thela expressed deep gratitude to her family, friends, and supporters, emphasizing that her victory represents purpose and impact over personal success alone as she prepares to advocate for community development on the international stage.
