Winner of Miss Earth South Africa 2023 announced at Southern Sun Sandton
Not only was the auspicious event about celebrating the new titleholders, but it also commemorated a significant milestone for the Miss Earth South Africa Leadership Programme.
Southern Sun Sandton was abuzz with excitement on the evening of September 9 as it played host to the prestigious Miss Earth South Africa 2023 winner’s announcement gala dinner.
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year, the event saw finalists from across the nation coming together, alongside esteemed judges, Zizo Tshwete, JJ Tabane, Abigail Visagie, and Leanne Manas to mark this momentous occasion.
Amidst a gathering of environmental advocates, community service enthusiasts, and green champions, the highlight of the evening was the announcement of the 2023 winner.
Zabelo Hlabisa, 29 years old, hailing from Newcastle in KZN, emerged victorious, capturing the hearts of the judges and audience alike with her unwavering dedication to environmental causes.
Hlabisa is joined by three remarkable runners-up who will collaborate with her in the coming year to further the mission of environmental education, awareness, and community programmes.
Belinde Schreuder, Duduzile Mbobo, and Zama Mbatha are the runners-up and were awarded the title Miss Air, Miss Water, and Miss Fire, respectively.
Distinguished guests in attendance included Nelson Muffuh, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in South Africa, and Sithembile Ntombela, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Brand South Africa. Both expressed their support and admiration for the work of the programme.
Southern Sun’s Head of Marketing, Candy Tothill, extended heartfelt congratulations to the Miss Earth South Africa 2023 winners, emphasising the group’s continued commitment to environmental education and awareness.
“As we welcome a new Miss Earth South Africa and the 2023 programme ambassadors, we look forward to working alongside them to promote environmental education and awareness as part of the group’s environmental management plan.”
She then extended their congratulations to the Miss Earth South Africa programme on two decades of tireless dedication towards building an environmentally responsible country.
“As a partner for the past decade, Southern Sun is proud to have journeyed alongside this transformative initiative.”
Catherine Constantinides, Executive Director of Miss Earth South Africa and a renowned international climate activist and human rights defender, highlighted the programme’s enduring commitment to empowering young women as active citizens and agents of change.
“Their time to effect change is now, congratulation to the winners and I hope they keep on doing the best they have been doing for their communities.”
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/332796/a-gourmet-afternoon-with-former-miss-universe/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/324589/to-bridge-the-gap-of-inequality/
