APA-Pretoria (South Africa) President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated newly crowned Miss South Africa, Natasha Joubert for her “resilience … and fighting spirit” in winning the 2023 title in Pretoria over the weekend.
“Congratulations to our newly crowned Natasha Joubert. Your resilience is testament to our fighting spirit as a nation,” Ramaphosa tweeted on Monday night.
He added: “We wish you a fruitful year of reign. And we look forward to you making a positive impact as our Miss South Africa.”
In her acceptance speech Joubert, a firm favourite among the crowd watching the pageant, said she was “incredibly honoured and humbled” to be crowned Miss South Africa 2023.
She said she was truly humbled and grateful to win the title and to be the first person to wear the glittering new Mowana (“Tree of Life”) crown from Nungu Diamonds firm.
“As I step into this new role, I am filled with a sense of responsibility to make a positive difference in the world around me,” she said.
Joubert, aged 26, is a Batchelor of Commerce (Marketing Management) graduate and is the owner and fashion designer of Natalia Jefferys — a company she started when she was 19.
She received US$53,000 in prize money, a Mercedes Benz saloon, and a sponsored trip to Paris, France.
NM/jn/APA