Miss Universe South Africa, Melissa Nayimuli, has officially arrived in Thailand to represent the country at the highly anticipated Miss Universe pageant. The 29-year-old beauty queen from the Eastern Cape touched down in Bangkok this week, joining contestants from more than 80 countries as preparations for the global competition get underway.
The Miss Universe 2025 coronation will take place on 17 November and will be broadcast live worldwide. Nayimuli, who was crowned 2025 Miss Universe South Africa following African Beauty International’s appointment of Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala as the new national director, says she feels deeply honoured to represent Mzansi on the international stage.
“This moment is full circle for me. I am embracing each and every step of this journey with trust in the universe, the love and support from my countrymen and women, faith in divine timing, and a message so important to share on a global platform — a message of unity, transformation, rebirth, and resilience,” she said.
Before leaving for Thailand, Melissa hosted a send-off event themed African Royalty. She shared the excitement on social media, saying, “I chose AFRICAN ROYALTY as the theme for my sendoff, and I encouraged my guests to embody their true selves by embracing their culture and heritage, and paying tribute to the richness of African identity.”
As a proudly South African woman born to a Xhosa mother and a Ugandan father, she emphasised the importance of celebrating diversity and heritage. “I believe it’s essential to highlight the diversity of our country, the interconnectedness of heritage and culture, and to stand firm in who I am and what I represent – a child of the African soil, a girl child raised by a Xhosa queen, elevating my strides to represent all who walk with me,” she explained.
Melissa added, “Understanding our heritage and where we come from enables us to move forward in the direction we were destined for. My friends, colleagues, media, loved ones came to shower me with well wishes and love, and I felt their presence with me on this journey. This is just the beginning @missuniverse.”
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