Why Natasha Joubert won’t compete at Miss World this year

Natasha Joubert has become the first Miss South Africa (Miss SA) winner to shun multiple international pageants – like Miss World – during her reign, and for various reasons.

Unlike previous winners, the Tswane beauty queen has chosen to not to compete abroad. Instead, she’s voiced her decision to focus on her local title instead. In her absence, her runner-up Bryoni Govender represented SA at the Miss Universe pageant late last year.

Natasha – who recently became engaged – has previously placed in the Miss SA Top 3 in 2020.

The Miss World pageant takes place on Saturday, 9 March, in India.

REASONS WHY NATASHA JOUBERT CANT COMPETE AT MISS UNIVERSE AND MISS WORLD 

After being Shudu Musida’s runner-up in 2020, Natasha Joubert represented Mzansi at the Miss Universe pageant. However, she did not place in the Top 21.

Although Natasha was permitted to re-enter the Miss SA pageant, the international pageant has different rules in place.

According to pageant enthusiast and YouTuber Rina Hendriks, Natasha may not enter the international pageant again. 

Hendriks told The South African: “It is a set-in-stone rule that no woman may represent her country more than once at Miss Universe. There was never going to be a way for Natasha to go to Miss Universe again”.

Sadly, Natasha Joubert cannot enter the Miss World pageant either, as Miss SA did not renew its licence with the global pageant.

Hendriks added: “Carol Bouwer Productions has since picked up the Miss World license in South Africa and has established the Miss World South Africa pageant.

“Natasha cannot go to Miss World since Miss World is no longer affiliated with the Miss South Africa Organization.”

Bryoni Govender represented SA at the Miss Universe in El Salvador in November 2023, while Claude Mashego is the representative for Miss World South Africa for the international pageant in India this weekend.

WHAT ABOUT SUPRANATIONAL?

With Natasha Joubert’s recent engagement, many are confused if Natasha Joubert is eligible to enter Miss Supranational later this year.

Hendriks told The South African: “She could compete as an engaged woman, although she has already said she is not going”.

According to Hendriks, Bryoni Govender could represent SA again at the Miss Supra, which is scheduled to take place in July.

Miss SA organisers told The South African that a representative would be announced in the coming weeks.