PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12 SEPTEMBER 2023
MISS EARTH SOUTH AFRICA CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AT THEIR GALA EVENING, ANNOUNCING THE 2023 WINNERS
Earth Warriors Celebrate 20 Years of Impact
The Miss Earth South Africa leadership programme proudly celebrated its 20th anniversary at a gala dinner at the Southern Sun Sandton in Johannesburg on Saturday, where the announcement of their 2023 winners took place. Four exceptional women who have demonstrated their commitment to protecting and conserving our precious natural environment will now continue their green journey as earth warriors for the nation.
More than an ordinary beauty pageant, Miss Earth South Africa has been at the forefront of promoting environmental sustainability and empowering young women to be environmental advocates. For two decades, Miss Earth has been a global platform that showcases not only the graceful elegance of its finalists but also their dedication to making their country a greener, more sustainable place. This unique programme encourages participants to actively engage in community activities that address critical environmental issues, thereby fostering a sense of responsibility and sustainability. The winners of this year’s Miss Earth South Africa have not only exemplified active citizenry but have also embraced the ideals of environmental stewardship. Their dedication to community and environmental causes is a testament to the programme’s mission and its impact over the past twenty years.
ABOUT THE WINNERS
3rd runner up, Miss Fire: Zama-Shandu Mbatha is a 26-year-old attorney from Johannesburg. She’s a part time commercial model, MC, host and beauty enthusiast.
2nd runner up, Miss Water: Duduzile Mbobo is an aspiring Earth Warrior and an industrial engineering student at Wits University. She enjoys practicing Iyengar Yoga in her spare time loves spending time with her family, friends and dogs.
1st runner up, Miss Air: Belindѐ Schreuder is from the capital city, Pretoria. She is a small business owner, make-up artist, and third year communications student at UNISA.
The winner, Miss Earth South Africa 2023: Zabelo Hlabisa hails from Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. She’s a social entrepreneur, event planner, modelling coach and a digital content creator. More so this young woman from KwaZulu-Natal is also a traditional healer who is passionate about the importance and power of indigenous knowledge.
The keynote speaker, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in South Africa Mr Nelson Muffuh said, “The Miss Earth South Africa programme serves as an exemplary model of female-led leadership in environmental advocacy. It exemplifies the transformative power of female leadership and active citizenship in addressing environmental changes. It’s therefore a pleasure for me to express the United Nations’ appreciation of Miss Earth for the incredible work they are doing in empowering young South African women as environmental ambassadors – torchbearers and change makers for sustainable development.”
The National Finalists and Winners have been spoilt with gifts and treatments from Skin Renewal, Europa Art, Lanza Healing Hair, chocolates from Ferrero Roche, sparkling wine from Michelle By KayN, Silverlining gumboots, skin care gifts from Panier Des Sens, Europa Art and treatments from Laser Boutique and Smile Connections for teeth whitening.
Glow couture spray tan, David Green Eyewear, Roar Fit gym, Eurolux lightening, Life Day Spar spa da, Gebco 3sixty and Wildroute Environmental, other partners and sponsors involved are Brand South Africa, Southern Sun, Servest, Proudly SA, Newsclip Media Monitoring, Interwaste, Plastics SA and SAPPI.
“As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Miss Earth South Africa, we recognize the remarkable journey it has undertaken in promoting environmental awareness and action. This milestone highlights the positive impact that the programme has had, inspiring countless individuals to become advocates for the planet,” says Miss Earth South Africa Executive Director, Catherine Constantinides, “We’re so excited to be celebrating this incredible milestone. Only a fraction of the work we do in the various communities makes it to social and mainstream media, but what matters the most is the 20 years of actual, measurable impact that the programme has helped to facilitate over the years. It is all about the impact, action and advocacy.”
Since inception, the programme has planted 55 000 trees across South Africa and has impacted countless communities across all provinces and communities throughout the rainbow nation. This leadership programme remains committed to its core values of promoting environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability. The programme’s continued success reflects the global community’s growing awareness of the urgent need to protect our natural world.
As part of the 20-year celebrations, the Miss Earth SA winners will be taking part in several clean-up campaigns across the country this coming weekend as part of International Clean Up Day and they will continue their environmental advocacy in their communities as they drive the #WasteStopsWithME programme and sustainability initiatives.
We congratulate the four extraordinary winners of this year’s Miss Earth South Africa and commend them for their dedication to creating a more environmentally sustainable future. Their achievements embody the essence of Miss Earth – leadership with a purpose. For more information on the Miss Earth South Africa, be sure to follow us on the platforms below.
Instagram: @missearth_sa
Twitter: @missearth_sa
Facebook: Miss Earth South Africa
TikTok: @missearth_sa
ABOUT MISS EARTH SOUTH AFRICA
The Miss Earth South Africa is a leadership and empowerment programme for young women. The objective is to provide these young women with the skills and knowledge to tackle different social and environmental issues within their communities as ambassadors and pillars of strength as they step into the world. Through this programme they can make a direct and meaningful impact for people and planet.
We extensively engage, educate & champion issues pertaining to the environment, the challenges and solutions that can help us better respect our Mother Earth. The Miss Earth South Africa leadership programme is about bringing sustainability to the fore, allowing our partners, stakeholders and communities to rethink their own impact, carbon footprint, value chain and operations.
Zoning in on issues of sustainable fashion, eco-tourism, food security, waste management and the mitigation of the effects of climate change are all very much a part of the powerful umbrella of work undertaken by the organisation.
In partnership with Southern Sun, Skin Renewal, Europa Art and Brand South Africa the Miss Earth SA hosted a gala dinner in celebration of their 20-year anniversary with a keynote address by Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in South Africa Mr Nelson Muffuh. With the goal of planting 55 000 trees during Arbour Month, these young women are movers and shakers of the communities.