The prestigious Miss World pageant has officially begun, and all eyes are on India as the 72nd edition of the global competition kicks off. The journey started this past Saturday in Hyderabad, and excitement is building as the world gears up for the grand finale on 31 May 2025 at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Representing South Africa this year is the stunning and accomplished 19-year-old Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg. Born in Pretoria, Zoalize was crowned Miss World South Africa in October last year during a glamorous ceremony at Sun City in the North West province.
More than just a beauty queen, Zoalize is a digital and marketing executive at Scuderia Ferrari South Africa, all while studying towards a law degree. Her ambition, intelligence, and commitment to making a difference have made her stand out not only at home but also on the international stage.
Zoalize is passionate about using her platform to create meaningful change. After being crowned, she shared her commitment to working with charities that fight social injustices. “One of our new partners is a non-profit called Unchain Our Children, which focuses on combating injustice in various forms, such as gender-based violence, rape, domestic abuse, welfare injustice, and human trafficking,” she said.
She is also the author of a children’s book titled Only a World Away, and her advocacy work is deeply tied to the Miss World organization’s theme of “Beauty with a Purpose.” Through this, she promotes female empowerment and positive social change.
Zoalize’s journey into advocacy began in 2020 after a personal experience sparked her passion for helping vulnerable youth. She created a youth-focused initiative called Never Too Young to Advocate, which aims to support children in orphanages
In an interview with The Hans India, she explained, “I work with a lot of orphanages and we go to facilities physically and we repair them. So we not only repair their facilities, but we build classrooms and we fundraise for scholarships. I’ve always believed in the power of education… To give them that sense of self and that power through something as simple as a classroom, and by finding mentors and nurturing them, has given me a new purpose in life.”
