The spotlight fell on a new generation of queens on August 8, as Ms Supreme Queen Global Earth Africa 2026 hosted its grand finale at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways.

For the reigning Ms Supreme Queen World 2025, Marinda du Toit, the end of her reign is an emotional moment, but one she is embracing as she prepares to hand the crown to its successor.

Reflecting on her year, Du Toit described the experience as an amazing journey filled with sisterhood, networking opportunities, and personal growth. While she is excited to see a new queen crowned, Du Toit admitted that saying goodbye to the title comes with mixed emotions. “I am a little sad. When I made my video, I tried to make it over a few times because there were a little tears and stuff, but it’s time for the new queens.” She intends to remain involved and offer advice and support to the next titleholder.

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Du Toit’s journey into pageantry was also rooted in a desire to empower women. After running her own salon and meeting clients who had experienced abuse, she decided to use pageantry as a platform to help restore their confidence and give them a voice.

She has since developed the Image Architecture Project, through which she uses makeup as a tool to uplift women. “Their voices were taken away. Giving them back their power, that’s how I started my journey.”

Her advice to the incoming queen is simple: “Grab every opportunity, enjoy every moment. This is a life-changing experience.”

Also preparing to close her reign is Supreme Teen Queen 2025, Aston Koekemoer, who said she feels proud of the work she has accomplished during her time with the title.

Koekemoer said she has used her platform to support charitable causes, including a fundraiser for charity, Kayak, where donations of food and money were collected.

She is also a brand ambassador for Princess Alice Adoption Home, an experience that has allowed her to spend time with children and contribute directly to their lives. “I got to spend actual hands-on time with them, and because they helped me get my crown, I got them all little tiaras and they loved it.”

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Koekemoer, who is studying foundation-phase teaching and has an internship at Redhill where she works with Grade 2 and Grade 3 pupils, said working with children is closely connected to her passion for making a difference. “Just being able to make a difference in a child’s life within the classroom is what I strive for.”

As her reign comes to an end, she does not intend to step away from the causes she supports. “I will still definitely be involved with the Supreme Queen and making charity drives and doing all of that because that’s part of me. It’s not part of the title. It’s just part of my heart.”

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