Ndavi Nokeri

Miss South Africa Ndavi Nokeri’s dress at the 71st Miss Universe competition was absolutely breathtaking. Image via Instagram @ndavi.nokerii

The meaning behind Ndavi Nokeri’s Miss Universe ‘Hosikati’ gown

Miss South Africa 2022, Ndavi Nokeri impressed the world with her head-turning ‘Hosikati’ dress at the 71st Miss Universe competition.

Ndavi Nokeri

Miss South Africa Ndavi Nokeri’s dress at the 71st Miss Universe competition was absolutely breathtaking. Image via Instagram @ndavi.nokerii

Ndavi Nokeri represented Mzansi at last week’s 71st Miss Universe completion in New Orleans. The Limpopo-raised model wore a “Hosikati” work of art by fashion designer Juan William Ari.

HOW DID NDAVI NOKERI COMPETE AT THE 71ST MISS UNIVERSE COMPETITIONS

The 23-year-old stunning model waved the flag high for South Africa in the competition and made it among the top 16 contestants out of 84 countries.

According to Sunday Times, other fellow contenders that competed alongside Miss South Africa 2022 were Colombia, Puerto Rico, USA, Dominican Republic, Canada, India, Venezuela, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Laos, Australia, Peru, Curacoa, and Haiti.

USA, Venezuela, Curacoa, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic made it into the final top-five round. And, R’Bonney Gabriel from the USA won first place against Harnaaz Sandhu from India.

Ndavi Nokeri
Ndavi Nokeri reached the Top 16 at the 71st Miss Universe Competition in New Orleans. Image via Instagram @ndavi,nokerii

NOKERI’S DRESS WAS THE TALK OF THE TOWN DRESS AT THE 71ST MISS UNIVERSE COMPETITION

Nokeri wowed judges and viewers who watched her strut down the catwalk in her national costume and grand finale dress.

According to the designer, “The radiant colours represent the vibrancy of our people and the beauty of our land. The gown was hand beaded and assembled by ten artisans and took more than 550 man hours to complete,” IOL quoted Ari as saying.

Although Nokeri did not win the competition, the beautiful lady looked stunning in her Tsonga dress by designer Scarlo. However, it was her “Hosikati” dress, meaning Queen in Tsonga, that was the showstopper of the evening.

Ari reportedly said that the dress took eight artisans to head each and every bronze sequin of the 110 000 sequins on the masterpiece.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR MISS SOUTH AFRICA 2022?

CEO of the Miss South Africa organisation, Stephanie Weil reportedly expressed that she was “incredibly proud” of the Nokeri.

“We are incredibly proud of Ndavi and how she represented both us as an organisation and the country on a world stage. We believe that she did South Africa proud, and her performance was remarkable from start to finish.

“We look forward to welcoming her home where her Miss South Africa journey will continue, Weil added.”

Nokeri plans to continue fulfilling her duties on her Ed-Unite project aimed to unlock equal educational opportunities.

MORE ABOUT THE MISS UNIVERSE COMPETITION

Only three South Africans have ever won the Miss Universe title.

•             Marget Gardiner crowned in 1978

•             Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters-Tebow crowned in 2017; and most recently

•             Zozibini Tunzi crowned in 2019

ALSO READ: Miss Universe result: Ndavi Nokeri finishes in Top 16, Miss USA wins