Newly crowned Miss South Africa 2022, Ndavi Nokeri hails from Gavaza village in Tzaneen, Limpopo. Miss South Africa 2022 was crowned at the glittering pageant finale which was held at the SunBet Arena at Time Square in Pretoria.
The 23-year-old told publications that her win breaks the glass ceiling, which inhibits young girls from a similar background from believing they can reach their dreams.
“I think it’s breaking the glass ceiling. I grew up in a rural area, and I didn’t always believe I could reach the big dreams,” Ndavi told News24 in a brief press conference following the pageant.
Taking to her Instagram account, Nokeri wrote a sweet caption accompanied by a picture of her after the crowning. Thanking the whole of South Africa and expressing her gratitude over her reign.
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil His promises to her.” South Africa, I am at a loss for words. Thank you for showering me with all your love and for warmly embracing me. I look forward to representing you with honour and pride. To a year of impact. Ndza Khensa, Thank you.” she wrote.
In her acceptance speech Nokeri said: “For a girl from Gabaza to be seen, embraced and chosen to represent her country is a groundbreaking moment. A moment that reaffirms that our dreams are valid, regardless of where we come from. I am grateful for the women who have gone before me who broke the glass ceiling so I could stand here today empowered, fulfilled and ready to proudly raise the South African flag high everywhere I go and to shine the light of hope to all South Africans.
“As your Miss South Africa, I understand the importance of representation, because it is through seeing other women look beyond their fears and their circumstances, that I gained the courage to rise to the call. I will represent South Africa, in all its diversity, resilience and beauty. It really does take a village, and I am so grateful that my village showed up for me. It is now for me to work and ensure that every success of mine overflows into my country. Thank you for trusting me with this position. As this journey begins, I will work to make it a chapter in which anyone who has ever felt ostracised feels included and reassured of the value that they bring into the world.”
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She explained how failure had helped her grow and achieve. Considering that growing up she struggled with mathematics in school. With every bad result she had received, she started believing and accepting that it was something that she just could not do until she decided to approach it with a different attitude.”I decided that I am the author of my own story and so I redefined myself as a woman who is capable of doing all things she sets her mind to with excellence. This is the attitude that I carry with me into every journey and it has shaped the person I am proud to be today.”
“Sitting here, coming from Limpopo, it’s such a big deal because we are a rural area, and just to be able to represent all the ladies and girls from back home,” she added, answering questions from Miss South Africa organisation CEO Stephanie Weil.“I know this is a big moment because they see their hopes and dreams are valid.”Nokeri told the room filled with journalists, photographers, and other stakeholders that while she did her first pageant at the age of 5, it wasn’t until she entered a pageant in Johannesburg in 2019 that she truly understood the power of pageantry.
“It really empowers women and helps them to stick to their power, be a voice and represent so many people,” she said.Answering another question about how she plans to approach her year-long reign, the BCom Investment Management degree-holder said education and equality remain her focus.
Nokeri, who bagged prizes and sponsorships valued at more than R3 million. Was announced as the winner at the prestigious event. Which took place on Saturday evening at Sun International’s flagship venue, the SunBet Arena in Time Square, Pretoria. Her runner-up is 22-year-old KwaZulu-Natal-born Ayanda Thabethe, who walked away with a R150 000 cash prize.
While the two ladies were the winners of the night at the glamorous event. Pageant host Anele Mdoda announced there would be changes to the criteria of women who would be allowed to enter the competition next year. Women who had children or were previously married would also be eligible to enter the prestigious competition moving forward.