By Rorisang Rampheteng:
Growing up in the small Free State town of Hobhouse, Palesa Mandie van Rooyen always dreamed of competing in the Miss South Africa pageant. Today, that dream is one step closer to coming true after she secured a place in the Miss South Africa 2026 Top 24 final.
Van Rooyen, a medical doctor, submitted her entry on 17 May and waited anxiously until 19 June when the finalists were announced.
“It had been a long and stressful day at work when my phone suddenly started flooding with congratulatory messages. I called my sister, who was driving ahead of me, and we pulled over to celebrate. Passing trucks even hooted in celebration with us. I couldn’t believe it, but I was overwhelmed with joy,” van Rooyen said.
Inspired by watching Bokang Montjane win Miss South Africa in 2010, she admitted that self-doubt delayed her dream for many years.
“I always felt I needed to be more ready and more perfect before entering. This year I realised that perfection doesn’t exist. I wanted to prove to myself that you can pursue your dreams while afraid and imperfect,” she said.
Her campaign focuses on child protection and malnutrition, an issue shaped by her work as a medical doctor. “My work has shown me how vulnerable children are to malnutrition, neglect and abuse. Caring for children is not charity; it is an investment in the future of our country,” Van Rooyen said.
She said that, if crowned Miss South Africa 2026, she hopes to inspire young South Africans to pursue their dreams regardless of their circumstances. “You do not need the perfect background or perfect circumstances to begin. Start where you are, start afraid, and start imperfectly. The life of your dreams is on the other side of fear.” – @NewsSA_Online
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