South Africans were surprised when Tiyani Makamu was crowned with a gold looking plastic crown as opposed to the Nungu Diamond Mowana crown that came into partnership in 2023
The new Miss South Africa has been crowned, but instead of celebrating the newly crowned beauty queen, much of the country’s attention has been focused on one thing: her crown.
This year, South Africans were left surprised when Tiyani Makamu was crowned with a gold-coloured, plastic-looking crown instead of the Nungu Diamonds Mowana crown, which became part of the pageant’s crowning tradition in 2023.
While audiences were still trying to make sense of the new crown, which appeared to require a bow to secure it on the beauty queen’s head, a black cape was also brought out and placed on Makamu.
The unexpected changes sparked conversations among pageant viewers, with many questioning what had happened to the crown that had adorned the heads of previous Miss South Africa winners.
The Motsepe Group officially acquired the Miss South Africa Organisation in July 2025, and since taking over, several changes have been introduced to the long-running pageant.
Audiences watching the finale, as well as those in attendance at the Sandton Convention Centre, were taken aback when outgoing Miss South Africa Qhawekazi Mazaleni appeared without a crown.
Their surprise continued when the new crown was placed on Mazaleni before she passed it on to the incoming beauty queen, Makamu.
As people exited the venue, many expressed their shock at the new crown and black cape. The same sentiments were echoed on social media as videos of the crowning moment circulated online.
Miss South Africa explains the new crown
At a press conference shortly after the finale, Miss South Africa organisers were asked about the decision to introduce a new crown and what had happened to the Mowana crown.
Miss South Africa spokesperson Zawadi Dlamini explained that the new design was centred around this year’s theme, “Imbokodo to Diamond”.
“What went into our decision to make our crown this year was exactly that. The crown is called Imbokodo. It represents the strength of women. It represents women as rocks,” he said.
Dlamini revealed that the organisation was engaging with young designers to contribute to the creation of a new crown, adding that the one South Africans saw during the finale was temporary.
“In fact, what we’re doing right is we are actively engaging designers. We’re going to look for young designers to contribute to the making of a new crown. This is a temporary crown, but a new crown which we’re going to call Imbokodo as well.
“So we’re going to take that initiative. We’re going to empower designers and we’re looking forward to obviously unveiling that.”
He added that South Africans would also get to witness the process of creating the new crown, although he did not provide a timeline for when it would be completed.
“The making of a crown is something that’s exciting, it’s something that’s glamorous, so we’ll be sharing that process and we’re really looking forward to it.”
Nungu Diamonds confirms Miss SA partnership was not renewed
Speaking to IOL, Nungu Diamonds co-founder and managing director Kealeboga Pule confirmed that the jewellery brand was no longer a sponsor of the Miss South Africa crown for 2026.
“Our agreement with them was not renewed for the 2026 crowning,” said Pule.
He acknowledged the public’s reaction to the new crown, making it clear that the crown seen during this year’s finale was not the work of Nungu Diamonds.
“I’ve seen how sad South Africans are about the current crown. It’s not ours. Unfortunately, like I say, we didn’t renew our contract with them to sponsor the crown for 2026.”
Pule explained that the partnership between Nungu Diamonds and Miss South Africa was renewed annually, with the collaboration beginning in 2023.
“We were in talks about 2026, we just couldn’t find each other. Which is why we are not participating.
“It’s unfortunate. I mean, looking at how people are responding to the crown, it’s not just about a girl wearing anything on her head. You know, a crown means so much more, but yeah, unfortunately, like I say, we couldn’t find each other.”
Pule also confirmed that, at the time of the interview, the Mowana crown was still in the possession of the Miss South Africa Organisation but would be returned to Nungu Diamonds from Monday.
He revealed that discussions about potentially extending the agreement continued until the latter part of the previous week, despite him and his wife travelling overseas.
“Our discussions about potentially extending our agreement extended into the later part of last week, this past week. My wife and I were travelling overseas. We were still on the phone with them trying to see if there was any way we could still work together for the 2026 crowning, but like I say, we couldn’t find each other, unfortunately.”
Why did Nungu Diamonds and Miss South Africa part ways?
When asked to elaborate on why the two organisations could not reach an agreement, Pule declined to go into the specifics, maintaining a diplomatic stance on the end of the partnership.
He said the decision not to extend the agreement was ultimately the best one, while emphasising that the brand continued to hold the pageant in high regard.
“We want to leave the integrity of the organisation intact. We’ve always been fans of Miss South Africa. We love what it’s able to do. It’s an amazing platform, but it just needs a vision. And sometimes when the vision doesn’t align with the sponsors, it becomes unfortunate.”
The Mowana crown was worn by Miss South Africa winners Natasha Vermaak (née Joubert) in 2023, Mia Le Roux in 2024 and Qhawekazi Mazaleni in 2025.
Reflecting on the crown’s legacy and the public’s response to its absence this year, Pule said Nungu Diamonds remained proud of the work it had produced.
“We’re very proud of that work. We’re very proud of it. And we love that people love it.
“How you’re responding about it now gives us the confidence to say it should have been worn by Miss South Africa now, but it’s unfortunate. It’s unfortunate,” he said.