‘I’ll be the best I can be’ as Ndavi dives straight into work
At just 23 years old, Ndavi Nokeri was one of the youngest women to grace the stage during this year’s Miss SA pageant – and in addition to snatching the crown, she will also be gifted with prizes worth more than R3 million.
She will also receive R1 million in cash from the Miss South Africa organisation.
On Sunday, she received one of the items in her prize kitty: a brand-new set of wheels, telling 5FM weekend breakfast host Minnie Ntuli and co-host Monique de Villiers about her plans for her new ride.
“The first place I actually want to drive to is a spa because my feet are sore,” joked Nokeri.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan will be the first car she will have all to herself.
On the topic of her win, Nokeri shared how moved she was by the crowd’s support of her; support that saw many dub her the “fan favourite” of the competition.
“When I realised that I had so much support from the crowd, what that meant for me was that someone feels represented…
“I was so happy to know that there are people who see their faces reflected in mine. For me, that is the most meaningful thing.”
When asked what her strategy was, she said she chose to lead with being authentic “because no one can be a better me than me.”
Nokeri decided on this after feeling intimidated by the other “amazing” competitors and said that she told herself the only thing she could do to stand out was to try show SA and the judging panel the best version of herself.
Citing Basetsana Kumalo – and what she has achieved since her reign – as one of her inspirations, Nokeri said she would keep her mind open and grasp every opportunity that came her way.
“This is only the beginning and I look forward to all the doors that will be open for me and not waste any opportunity.”
The next thing on her agenda was getting straight to work.
“I know being Miss South Africa is a full-time job. I’m looking forward to getting into it and really implementing all the initiatives that I have planned for, especially with the education of our country,” she said.