MISS SOUTH AFRICA PAGEANT LIVE SHOW TO FEATURE TOP ARTISTS
The Ndlovu Youth Choir, Ntokozo Mbambo and Zakes Bantwini to appear at glittering finale to be aired on M-Net & Mzansi Magic
The dazzling Miss South Africa pageant takes place on Saturday (October 16) at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town, and is set to entertain and wow the audience with a line-up of exciting local musical talent.
Performing in the show are the Ndlovu Youth Choir which took the US by storm when they became the first choir in the history of America's Got Talent to make the finals; award-winning gospel singer Ntokozo Mbambo and singer and record producer Zakes Bantwini.
Since its inception in 2009, the Ndlovu Youth Choir has evolved into a truly outstanding professional ensemble. The choir sings in all 11 South African languages and their music incorporates traditional South African genres; inspirational gospel; contemporary Afro-pop and jazz by globally acclaimed South African artists such as Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba, as well as original songs describing African life with a call for African unity.
Says choir manager Josh Georgiou: “The choir will be performing three songs at the Miss South Africa pageant, two originals and a cover version of a song that featured in the movie The Greatest Showman. All the songs have powerful, uplifting messages that speak about overcoming adversity and believing in your dreams. Hopefully these themes resonate with all the Miss South Africa finalists and give them confidence and courage on their big night.
“The choir members are excited and honoured to be part of such a glamorous and prestigious event. They plan to sing their hearts out and will be cheering loudly when the eventual winner is crowned,” added Georgiou.
Born in Umlazi in Kwa Zulu-Natal, Ntokozo Mbambo began her singing career in her church worship team and, at the age of 15, she was the youngest member to join the sensational gospel group Joyous Celebration. Having released her debut album Bambelela in 2001, Mbambo continues to soar in the music sphere. In 2007 she recorded a live DVD/CD called Keep on Believing which earned a Metro FM for Best Gospel album 2007 and three nominations at the 2008 Crown Gospel Music Awards. Her album Filled won awards at the 2013 SAMAs, the 2012 and 2013 Crown Gospel Awards and at the 2013 Africa Gospel Music Awards held in the UK and passed double platinum in CD sales. She has opened the stage for countless acclaimed gospel musicians such as Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin and Cece Winans on their South African tours and has also travelled to the US, UK, Ghana, Swaziland, Kenya and Botswana to perform.
Of her anticipated performance at the pageant, Mbambo says: “I am looking forward to doing a duet with the choir of young musicians. We are collaborating on a song that is outside my usual genre of Gospel. But I am well aware of its inspirational and aspirational message, so I'm all for it!!
“The pageant itself is something I have been following, more so in recent years. I think we've come a long way as women in South Africa and to be able to celebrate what makes us African, beautiful and femine is a beautiful thing. I look forward to seeing all the girls and I wish them nothing but success whether or not they wear the crown.”
KwaMashu born Zakes Bantwini studied at the Durban University of Technology where he received a national certificate in light music and is where he formed his own record label Mayonie Productions while completing his final year. He went on to receive a diploma in Jazz and Music Performance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. In 2011, he released his first single Clap Your Hands, featuring Xolani Sithole and two years later released the album The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible, which was nominated in the Best Dance Album Category at the 20th SAMA Awards. In 2017, he released the album Love, Light & Music 2. His latest single, Osama, was released last month and peaked at number one on the Radio Monitor Charts.
“We’re proud to partner with Miss South Africa in broadcasting the pageant to our M-Net and Mzansi Magic viewers. The pageant represents things we believe in, such as empowerment, unity and national pride. The women are inspirational and agents for change and we’re privileged to provide a platform for the crowning of a new ambassador for the country,” says Nomsa Philiso, Director of Local Channels at M-Net.
Miss South Africa 2021 will be crowned on Saturday (October 16) at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town. The event will be screened live from 17h00 on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) and streamed online for an international audience on MissSA.live with extra highlights and exclusive content.
This year’s Miss South Africa will be a show to remember. Hosts are two of South Africa’s best-loved television personalities, Anele Mdoda and Nico Panagio, while Miss Universe title holders, 2018 winner Catriona Gray and her 2019 successor, our own Zozibini Tunzi, will be backstage presenters.
The all-women selection panel line-up includes respected and influential personalities with reigning Miss Universe Andrea Meza joined by Miss Universe 2015, TV personality, model and actress Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach; former Miss South Africa title holders Basetsana Kumalo (1994) and Tamaryn Green (2018); actress Shannon Esra (The Queen); vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town Mamokgethi Phakeng and radio and TV presenter Dineo Ranaka.
Miss South Africa 2021 will take home a package of prizes and sponsorships worth more than R4 million. The Top 10 competing for the crown are Bianca Bezuidenhout, Catherine Groenewald, Cheneil Hartzenberg, Jeanni Mulder, Kaylan Matthews, Kgothatso Dithebe, Lalela Mswane, Moratwe Masima, Tiffany Francis and Zimi Mabunzi.
Limited general access tickets for the Miss South Africa 2021 finale show are now on sale on https://misssa.live/. Those buying tickets must have a valid negative Covid PCR test to present upon entry to the arena or be fully vaccinated and present a vaccination proof card. Testing can be done with our trusted Covid testing partner Testaro Mobile Nurses. Use Code: “Miss SA” to get a discount on your test.
Miss South Africa is presented by Weil Entertainment in association with M-Net, Mzansi Magic, Sun International and the City of Cape Town.
Go to:
Twitter: @Official_MissSA
Instagram: @official_misssa
