The race for the Miss Universe 2016‘s crown has officially begun! Every year, thousands of young women from 90 countries vie for the title (and the glittery crown) of Miss Universe. The pageant, which started as a marketing competition by California company Catalina Swimwear in 1952, has evolved over the past 64 years into an annual tradition celebrating intelligence, poise, and, of course, beauty. Africa will be represented by Miss South Africa and Miss Angola at the event.
Who will succeed Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines ? Meet the the two Southern African candidates below!
Luisa Baptista representing the province of Cuando won the annual Miss Angola Pageant and will represent her country in Miss Universe 2016.
She was crowned by Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes. Lopes is the 60th Miss Universe titleholder, and is the first Angolan woman to hold the position. Baptista succeeds Whitney Shoikongo as new Miss Angola.
Ntandoyenkosi Kunene was crowned Miss South Africa 2016 on Saturday 19 March 2016 at the Carnival City´s Big Top Arena. She is expected to compete in both the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants this year, as long as both events are not held simultaneously.
The national pageant was televised on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) from 17h00 to 19h00.
