Miss South Africa 2023 Natasha Joubert. (Elizabeth Sejake/Rapport/Gallo Images) With her Miss South Africa reign soon coming to an end, an emotional Natasha Joubert discussed the challenges of concluding her reign, expressing sadness and gratitude for the experiences gained. Joubert will crown her successor in just over three weeks when this year's Miss South Africa finale takes place at the SunBet Arena on Saturday, 10 August.
There are 13 contestants vying for the crown in Miss South Africa's S3 reality series, Crown Chasers . As the end of her reign draws closer, Miss South Africa 2023 titleholder Natasha Joubert reflected candidly on the emotional challenges she was facing as the "special chapter" in her life comes to an end. Joubert's reign will end just over three weeks from now when she crowns her successor at this year's Miss South Africa finale, hosted by media personality and businesswoman Bonang Matheba, at the SunBet Arena at Time Square in Pretoria on Saturday, 10 August.
Thirteen finalists are vying for the coveted title in the pageant's weekly S3 reality series, Crown Chasers. "I have three weeks left of being Miss SA, and I am so heartsore," Joubert said in an emotional video in which she spoke about her bittersweet feelings about the end of her tenure and the uncertainty of what next. Natasha Joubert.
(Supplied/Miss SA Organisation) "Why don't we talk about how hard it is to end off a reign in such a special chapter in one's life? I get the question a lot about what's next, and I don't know why that question is so triggering, but I just really want to say thank you for such a fulfilling year, and I do hope I will find something that gives me the same amount of purpose and joy and motivation like being Miss SA," the 27-year-old said before interrupting herself with a remark about feeling "silly" about crying. "It's been one of the best years of my life." Joubert was crowned Miss South Africa in August 2023, taking over from predecessor Ndavi Nokeri and becoming the first to wear the Mowana (Tree of Life) crown by Nungu Diamonds.
It was her second attempt at the crown after she was named the second runner-up in 2020. READ | 'A full-circle moment': Newly crowned Miss SA Natasha Joubert believes in second chances She also represented South Africa at the 2021 Miss Universe but missed out on a spot in the top 21. The disappointment and subsequent depression she faced because of the pageant prompted her to opt out of representing the country at international pageants during her reign.
Continuing with her video, the beauty queen and BCom marketing management graduate said she was coming to terms with the fact that it was "okay" that there was not yet something that would give her the same excitement and purpose as being Miss South Africa and performing the duties that came with the title. "These next three weeks are going to be, I think, a little bit harder because I just want to feel like I've done everything that I could have done as Miss SA, and this next chapter in my life is going to be blessed," she said. In one of her interviews with News24, Joubert said she wanted to look back and say she had done everything she could have done in the year of her reign, then continue afterwards as she also pursued her aspirations of venturing into the entertainment industry as a TV presenter.
Natasha Joubert at the SA Style Awards at Sandton Hotel on 17 March 2024, in Sandton, South Africa. (Oupa Bopape/Gallo Images) "Don't ask me what's next. We'll find out together.
I will share everything here (social media), and I just really want to say thank you to everyone following along," she continued in the video. "I'm still going to continue being Natasha, but in three weeks, I'll be a former (Miss South Africa), which is really hard; it's very weird to me. I didn't think I would feel as emotional as I'm feeling, so if you see me crying on final night, no judgement.
" See Joubert's full video here. After pouring her heart out about handing over her crown, she shared intimate snaps of how fiancé Enrico Vermaak spoilt her on her 27th birthday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natasha Joubert (@natasha_joubert) The couple got engaged during a sunset yacht cruise in Cape Town in February, after eight years and five months together, with friends and family in tow.
"We are delighted with the news of Natasha and Enrico's engagement. We have gotten to know them as a couple during Natasha's reign and know that they are going to be very happy together, and what better month to make it official than in the month of February," Miss South Africa Organisation CEO Stephanie Weil said. READ MORE | 'I didn't suspect a thing': Inside Miss SA Natasha Joubert's engagement We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives.
Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered. Join News24 today.
