Miss South Africa Ndavi Nokeri has finished in the top 16 at the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Nokeri was tipped as one of the favourites going into the contest at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center on Sunday morning (SA time).
Congratulations SOUTH AFRICA, you made the TOP 16! #MISSUNIVERSE The 71st MISS UNIVERSE Competition is airing LIVE in the U.S. on @TheRokuChannel! pic.twitter.com/Egzv4OBYpJ
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) January 15, 2023
She made the top 16 round alongside Colombia, Spain, Venezuela, India, Curaçao, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, Canada, Portugal, Laos, Dominican Republic, USA, Australia, Haiti and Puerto Rico.
Venezuela, USA, Curaçao, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic made the top five of the pageant. USA’s R’Bonney Gabriel won the pageant, succeeding Harnaaz Sandhu of India.
Three South African have won the Miss Universe crown:
Margaret Gardiner in 1978;
Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters-Tebow in 2017; and
Zozibini Tunzi in 2019.
Tamaryn Green-Nxumalo placed first runner-up in 2018, and Lalela Mswane second runner-up in 2021.
