In an exciting turn of events, 23-year-old Zoë Magdalene Naidu, a student at Durban University of Technology (DUT), has emerged as a finalist for the highly esteemed Miss World South Africa pageant. Naidu’s journey to the runway has been nothing short of remarkable and she’s set to showcase her talents on 28 October 2023, when the pageant takes place at the prestigious Pretoria State Theatre in Gauteng.
This year’s Miss World South Africa pageant holds a unique distinction as it marks the first time that the Miss South Africa competition no longer holds the license for a South African Miss World representative. Instead, the honour goes to South Africa’s own Carol Bouwer, the first black woman to acquire the rights to this globally renowned platform.
When Naidu received the news of her selection as a finalist, she was thrilled beyond words. “I was in the middle of a lecture at DUT when I received the call and was told to keep the news a secret. I couldn’t stop smiling for the rest of the day. It was surreal because this was a dream come true. Even now, when I wear my sash, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come with God’s grace,” she expressed euphorically.
Naidu’s family had always playfully dubbed her the “future Miss World” due to her extroverted nature and fascination with the world of pageantry. She decided to take the leap when she came across a call for entries for Miss World South Africa (MWSA) on social media in June this year. This decision came while juggling her demanding academic responsibilities as a fourth-year student pursuing a BHSc degree in Chiropractic at DUT.
Naidu, who is a passionate advocate for equality, diversity and representation, aims to use her platform to address these critical issues. “My passion for helping others began with my interest in medical sciences at a young age, which led me to choose a career path that combines my academic pursuits with my desire to make a positive impact,” she stated.
What makes Naidu’s journey even more extraordinary is that she had no prior modelling or pageant experience when she secured her spot in MWSA. “I had entered Miss South Africa at the beginning of 2023 but was rejected. Despite that setback, I’ve been working tirelessly to prepare myself for the big night by attending workshops, classes, and events. Additionally, I’ve chosen to sing as my talent piece for the pageant,” she shared.
For Naidu, her ambition has always been to be a role model rather than just a model. She firmly believes in the uniqueness and inner beauty of every individual. “I am a firm believer that we are all made in the perfect image of God, and our hearts are what make us beautiful,” she added.
If crowned Miss World South Africa, Naidu sees it as an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a world plagued by inequality. “My purpose in life is to serve and being crowned MWSA would not be a throne but a door to transform lives globally,” she declared.
Despite her newfound status as a pageant finalist, Naidu remains dedicated to her studies and aims to graduate in a few months. She emphasized that her education continues alongside her pageantry journey. “Even if I don’t win the crown, I’ll continue with my studies. Winning this competition is my goal and during my reign, I plan to focus on my research,” she affirmed.
Having been part of the DUT community for five years, Naidu supports the institution’s ENVISION2030 strategy and the university’s core values and principles. She credits DUT for sharpening her adaptability, a quality that has served her well.
Her message to young women in any field is simple but powerful: “Try. I took a shot at something, even though I didn’t know the outcome, and now I’m fulfilling a lifelong dream.”
For those interested in witnessing Zoë Magdalene Naidu’s journey, tickets for the Miss World South Africa pageant are available at Pick n Pay and online through Webticket. The event will be broadcast live on SABC3 and internationally on The Africa Channel.
Pictured: Zoë Magdalene Naidu.
Waheeda Peters
