Predicting the Miss SA is very difficult this year.

The look for Miss South Africa 2020 is on.

With applications now open and campaigns underway, the annual pageant is taking a replacement shape online within the amid uncertainty from the Covid-19 pandemic and a national lockdown.

According to Stephanie Weil, chief executive of the Miss South Africa Organisation, the choice to travel digital was spurred by a positive past experience.

“We made the choice in 2019 to place the entry process online to form it as easy as possible for would-be contestants, as there have been no forms to download and no regional auditions to which hopefuls had to travel,” Weil explained.

“This allowed us to succeed in as many young women throughout South Africa as possible and provides candidates from any region of the country the chance to require part. it had been hugely successful, with quality candidates and that we received a record number of entries.”

Applications for the pageant opened on Monday and can close on May 31. Applicants must complete a web form and submit photographs of themselves. Applicants must also post a brief introductory video on their social media channels and supply a link on their application.

A judging panel will then undergo the entries and narrow the list right down to semi-finalists. Unlike previous years where the semi-finalists travelled to Johannesburg for the judging sessions, this year the session are going to be conducted online.

“By doing tons of meet and greets online Miss South Africa are going to be ready to reach – and encourage – even more young women across the country,” Weil said. “Our main goal is to form Miss South Africa attainable and thru online interaction this may make it easier instead of harder. i feel this year people are going to be engaging with and taking note of the girl who eventually holds the title of Miss South Africa 2020 quite ever.”

In addition, Weil announced announced that the corporate would be launching the Miss South Africa Foundation, with details on the new venture to be made public closer to the pageant in August.

Weil’s company Weil Entertainment acquired the Miss SA license from Sun International in 2019. Despite staying involved as a sponsor with the event traditionally held at Sun City, there are still questions regarding a physical event being held this year. Said Sun International during a statement: “As an associate sponsor of the Miss South Africa Pageant, Sun International continues to figure with pageant owner Weil Entertainment. thanks to the uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing requirements, we are considering several possible scenarios for hosting the ultimate event in August. we will assure South Africans that the 2020 contest will still be relevant, inclusive and exciting to observe .”

South Africa may be a global player within the world of beauty pageants. The reigning Miss Universe title holder, Zozibini Tunzi, was crowned Miss South Africa in 2019, while Miss South Africa 2017, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, went on to be crowned Miss Universe an equivalent year, the primary South African to require the title since Margaret Gardiner in 1978.

In January, it had been announced that Sasha-Lee Olivier, first runner up in Miss South Africa 2019, had been passed the title by Tunzi following Tunzi’s crowning as Miss Universe in December last year.

On Tuesday, Olivier made an appearance with Gauteng Health Department officials at the Sebokeng Zone 17 clinic to celebrate International Nurses Day. Olivier’s campaign, called #itsnotyourfault, is aimed toward raising awareness for victims of sexual abuse . “Miss South Africa is consistently changing to stay relevant in today’s world,” Weil said.

“No longer is Miss South Africa just a once-off event but rather a year-round business, and a brand that gives both a number one voice for women’s rights and a platform to effect social change. We are committed to helping entrants fulfil their inherent potential instead of merely glossing up their external façade.”