New leadership takes charge: Motsepe family acquires control of Miss SA

The Motsepe Group of Companies, owned by one of South Africa’s wealthiest businessmen, Patrice Motsepe, has acquired the Miss South Africa organisation.

The organisation also recently announced that Miss SA 2025 has been postponed to later in the year.

This follows the resignation of former CEO Stephanie Weil, who stepped down earlier this month after helming the company since 2019.

MISS SA: WHO OWNS IT?

Earlier this month, Africa Fashion International (AFI), the fashion partner of Miss SA, announced that it has become the beauty pageant’s “sister company.”

“AFI and the Miss South Africa organisation are proud members of a larger, family-owned group of companies, united by a shared vision for creativity and excellence”, read a statement posted on their social media platforms.

Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, wife of billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe, founded Africa Fashion International (AFI) in 2007. The fashion empire hosts events such as Cape Town and Joburg Fashion Week and manages a roster of African creatives through its luxury brands.

Sun International, a South African hotel and event group, previously owned Miss SA. In 2019, Sun International sold the pageant rights to Weil Entertainment, led by CEO Stephanie Weil.

Before that, the pageant received sponsorship from publications like the Sunday Times, Rapport, and the now-defunct Afrikaans newspaper, Die Landstem.

Under the wing of AFI, the pageant will now “embark on this strategic journey together, leveraging our unique strengths to drive growth and innovation.”

MOTSEPE COMPANIES

Apart from Miss SA, the Motsepe family owns companies in various industry sectors, from mining to telecommunications, insurance, banking, property, and even fashion and sports.

With a net worth of $3 billion (R55.35 billion), Patrice Motsepe was named South Africa’s first black billionaire and the first black African to make the Forbes Richest list in 2008.

Patrice is the brother of Dr Tshepo Motsepe, the wife of President Cyril Ramaphosa.