The province will roll out the red-carpet on Thursday, 30 July to welcome back the beauty queen, Bajabulise Thela, who recently won big at a national beauty
pageant.
"Thela achieved something remarkable and deserves to be celebrated and honoured for putting the province, and her hometown, KaNyamazane, on the map," says Culture, Sport and Recreation MEC Leah Mabuza.
Thela won Miss African Beauty Universe South Africa 2026 in Pretoria on 18 July 2026, and her achievement has elevated the province onto the international stage of pageantry and will go a long way in inspiring young girls to pursue their dreams. Thela will now represent South Africa at the Miss Universe pageant.
"Her success is a testament to the talent, resilience, excellence, and leadership that continue to emerge from our province. As South Africa prepares to commemorate Women's Month in August, her achievement is a fitting precursor to the event," adds the MEC.
The media is invited to attend and cover the Homecoming Event of Miss African
Beauty Universe South Africa, which is arranged as follows:
Date: Thursday, 30 July 2026
Time: 14:00
Venue: Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, Lapa
Media Enquiries: Sibongile Nkosi 066 018 0037
Media Confirmations: Teddy Ndlazi 073 281 9163
Issued by the Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation.