Former Miss South Africa 2020, Shudufhadzo Musida, has returned to the Miss SA platform, this time serving as a judge for the top 24 semifinalists.She describes the experience as deeply emotional and reflective, saying it reminded her of her own journey in the competition six years ago.

According to Musida, sitting on the judging panel gave her greater empathy for contestants, as she understands how nerve-wracking and life-changing the moment can be.She often encouraged the participants to stay calm and remember that reaching the top 24 already makes them deserving of recognition.

Musida was particularly impressed by the diversity and depth of the semifinalists, highlighting that they include entrepreneurs, academics, business owners, actuaries, and content creators.She noted that what stood out most was their intentionality about their futures and the impact they hope to make in society.For her, the key quality she looked for was authenticity, stressing that everything else can be taught, but genuine character cannot be faked.She explained that Miss SA is not only a beauty platform but also a leadership role that requires trust from the public and stakeholders.

Reflecting on her own Miss SA experience, Musida recalled how she initially answered a light-hearted question about her guilty pleasure, which helped her remain authentic and ultimately succeed.She also shared insights from her personal journey, including completing her master’s degree at Columbia University in New York.

She spoke about the challenges of living abroad, building her personal brand independently, and eventually returning to South Africa after a transformative period of growth.

Looking ahead, Musida expressed her desire to help attract private investment into Africa, emphasising that long-term development in areas such as education, mental health, and women’s empowerment depends on sustainable investment rather than aid.