RADIO and TV host Anele Mdoda and TV host, Nico Panagio, will co-host the Miss South Africa 2021 finals.
Anele, who has been a judge for the pageant for the past years, since 2013, has now changed roles to being a host. Nico, is also hosting the pageant for the second time.
The two will be hosting the final that will be held on Saturday, October 16, at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town.
Beauty queens Bianca Bezuidenhout, Catherine Groenewald, Cheneil Hartzenberg, Jeanni Mulder, Kaylan Matthews, Kgothatso Dithebe, Lalela Mswane, Moratwe Masima, Tiffany Francis, and Zimi Mabunzi will be competing for the crown and the ultimate title of being Miss South Africa 2021.
Speaking about moving from being a judge to hosting this year, Anele said the focus must be on the beauty queens and not on her.
She said: “It’s the Top 10 who are centre stage. I am merely a vehicle that moves the night along with an insight of where the finalists’ minds should be, and what the judges will be thinking. I will be the one giving the audience at home the scoop!”
The media personality encouraged people to watch this year’s pageant.
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“It’s going to be a beautiful evening – finding our new Miss South Africa and celebrating an extraordinary reign from Miss South Africa 2020, Shudufhadzo Musida, who has really raised the bar. There have been big changes in the pageant since I started being involved,” she said.
“The team running it is younger and braver, and there is no set standard of beauty. I used to get so annoyed when we were shown, for example, a Miss Venezuela and got told this was what international pageants were looking for, and I would be like, yes … for them! The main currency now is authenticity,” said Anele.
Nico said he is excited about hosting with Anele.
“Anele epitomises celebrating life! She exudes passion and joy, and it’s always loads of fun engaging with her. I usually prefer working alone (I’m sure she does too!) unless it’s with someone like her. Co-hosting requires a different approach and can be great fun, if the person you work alongside, loves having a great time on stage. I know that is something we both share, so I’m really looking forward to it,” said Nico.
The event will be screened live from 5pm on M-Net (DStv channel 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161), and will also be streamed for an international audience on MissSA.live.
