Stephanie Weil Steps Down as Miss SA CEO Amid Silence Over Top 30: What’s Next for the Pageant?

A Surprise Exit and Growing Fan Anxiety

The Miss South Africa organisation has confirmed that Stephanie Weil is stepping down as CEO, marking the end of a chapter that reshaped the country’s most iconic beauty platform.

Weil took over in 2019, continuing the legacy of her late mother, Suzanne Weil, who had played a key role in developing the brand. Since then, she’s been the woman behind the curtain, driving the pageant’s transformation from a traditional beauty contest into a bold platform for inclusivity, representation, and female empowerment.

But the timing of her departure — and the organisation’s recent silence on this year’s Top 30 reveal — has left pageant fans more than a little concerned.

Where’s the Top 30?

By this time of year, the Miss SA Top 30 contestants are usually announced, generating buzz across social media. But this year, it’s been radio silence — and fans are noticing.

“We would love a professional communication regarding Miss SA 2025 Top 30,” wrote user @folafakathi on X.

Another fan, @leane_vanessen, shared a relatable dose of sarcasm: “Soo Miss SA is usually in a month… apparently the pageant plans are underway?? How though? Like please @official_misssa can you give us something? Anything? Smoke signals? Beacons?”

@dantedefreita added: “When will the Top 30 be announced?”

The Miss SA organisation issued a short statement confirming Weil’s departure, saying an agreement had been reached and that she would remain involved during the leadership handover “for as long as is required” to ensure a smooth transition.

They also insisted that preparations for this year’s competition are “making good progress” — though no date or further update has been shared.

Cracks in the Crown?

Weil’s resignation isn’t the only shake-up. Earlier this year, longtime creative director Werner Wessels also stepped down. The duo were widely seen as the visionaries behind Miss SA’s more progressive image in recent years, which saw contestants from diverse backgrounds, body types, and life stories taking centre stage.

Many fans now fear that without Weil and Wessels at the helm, the pageant could lose the hard-won credibility it built as a platform for social impact and not just beauty.

To add fuel to the fire, Miss SA also announced earlier this year that it would no longer participate in the Miss Supranational pageant after not renewing its license — sparking questions about the organisation’s international ambitions going forward

What Does the Future Look Like?

The Miss SA brand has always carried cultural weight in South Africa — it’s been a symbol of glamour, aspiration, and more recently, transformation. Under Weil, it evolved into a space where beauty met advocacy, with winners like Zozi Tunzi, Shudufhadzo Musida and Lalela Mswane using their reigns to speak out on mental health, gender-based violence, and more.

As the organisation now looks for new leadership, there’s hope that the next chapter continues this momentum.

For now, all eyes are on the Top 30 reveal. Until then, the pageant world — and its passionate online community — will keep refreshing those timelines, waiting for signs of life from one of the country’s most-watched stages.

Source:IOL

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