The Department of Sports, Arts & Culture, MEC Miss Nakedi Kekana has issued a statement congratulating Ndavi Nokeri on placing in the top 16 of Miss Universe and encouraged her to hold her head up high.
Reigning Miss SA, Ndavi Nokeri missed out on becoming the fourth Miss Universe from South Africa after finishing in the top16 at the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA on Sunday morning (SA time) .
The 23 year-old Nokeri from Gavaza village in Limpopo represented South Africa against 84 contestants from other countries in the competition.
Nokeri was tipped as one of the front-runners throughout the build-up going into the finale. She finished in the round of 16 alongside Colombia, Spain, Venezuela, India, Curaçao, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, Canada, Portugal, Laos, Dominican Republic, USA, Australia, Haiti, and Puerto Rico.
Speaking after Miss Universe 2023 was won by Miss USA early this morning (South Africa time), Limpopo MEC for Sport Arts and Culture, Miss Nakedi Kekana said she is still our pride and Ambassador.
“ Reaching the top 16 of this world pageant is not a small achievement by any chance. You could see she held her head and the South African flag high on that stage, illustrated with not less than 87 beauties from across the globe”, Kekana said.