No sour grapes from Nande Mabala despite missing out on Miss World SA crown again
Nande Mabala, the 27-year-old model and social media entrepreneur from Worcester, who narrowly missed out on the Miss World South Africa 2024 crown and was named first runner up has no sour grapes.
Mabala was named first princess at the pageant as Zoalize Jansen Van Rensburg, 18, was crowned Miss World SA 2024 at the pageant held on Saturday at the Sun City Superbowl.
It was the second time she had placed in the top three in a major pageant, having placed third at the Miss South Africa pageant last year.
Speaking to IOL, Mabala reflected on her journey, which has been marked by determination and a strong commitment to social impact.
Despite placing third in Miss South Africa 2023, where she lost to Natasha Joubert, Mabala’s resilience and passion drove her to return to the stage.
“It feels both surreal and incredibly rewarding to be crowned 1st runner-up. I’ve poured so much heart, soul, and effort into this journey, and to be recognised at this level means the world to me,” she said.
Mabala expressed pride in her growth throughout the process, stating that she has learned invaluable lessons about perseverance and leadership.
“I’m proud of the woman I’ve become through this experience. I’ve learned so much about perseverance, leadership, and the power of purpose.”
Despite losing to van Rensburg, for Mabala, the experience was not solely about winning.
“The dream of becoming Miss World has always been the plan for me,” she explained.
“I initially entered pageants with that goal in mind because the opportunity to help people on such a large scale through that title is a dream I’ve held for 10 years.”
Her previous experience in Miss SA not only fuelled her ambition but also allowed her to refine her vision for community impact through her “Go Green SA” project, which focuses on addressing food insecurity.
“I’ve grown immensely, both personally and professionally. Competing again allowed me to step into my power more fully.”
Her newfound confidence has shaped her leadership style, and she approached this year's competition with clarity about the change she wants to create.
Looking ahead, Mabala has ambitious plans to further her work with the “Nande Mabala Foundation” and expand her “Go Green SA” initiative.
“Food insecurity remains a major challenge, and I’m committed to working on solutions at both a local and global level,” she said.
“I also plan to further develop my career as a social media entrepreneur, content creator, and food security advocate. This isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning of a new chapter where I hope to continue inspiring and empowering others.”
Mabala holds a BA degree in Political Science, Sociology, and Industrial Psychology. Her “Beauty with a Purpose” project, “Go Green SA”, empowers youth in underprivileged communities by teaching agricultural skills.
Through partnerships with schools, organisations, and sponsors, she aims to bring her vision of positive social impact to fruition.
IOL