North West has had few, if any, successes in large-scale pageant competitions such as Miss South Africa, with a record of Alina Moeketse, who competed on behalf of Botswana in the Miss Republic of South Africa in 1979 but did not get placed, and Marilyn Ramos, who competed in Miss Universe South Africa and Miss World South Africa in 2013 but also did not get placed.
Even though the North West ladies have yet to succeed in previous pageants, they are nevertheless motivated to put their province on the map. This can be seen in this year's Miss South Africa competition, where the North West province is represented by three ladies who are placed in the top 30.
Barbara Moagi, the first lady, is a 22-year-old Mahikeng resident who works as a digital content developer and is a second-year digital marketing student at Vega School. She is passionate about using narrative as a force for good and views herself as adaptable – ready for anything. She enjoys a delicious dinner dish for breakfast, particularly "chotlho le ting," and says she'd share her meal with Michelle Obama if given a chance. "Through the Miss South Africa platform, I hope to build a legacy that South Africans can be proud of. I firmly believe in the power of everyday South African stories to be used as a force for change," she said.
The second lady is Karla Pienaar, 23 years old and from Harties. She teaches Geography and Social Science at Hartbeespoort High School. She says that she is soft-spoken and has much energy. She tries to make leaders with an inner beauty that shines and credibility that counts. She wants to leave a significant mark in the world and wants to change the world for the better with her honest and trusted voice.
The third lady is Keaoleboga Nkashe, 27 years old and from Itsoseng. She was one of the top 10 candidates for Miss South Africa 2022. She is an educator, a student, and a model. She identifies as a lifelong learner with a strong sense of humour that fosters interpersonal relationships. She is an activist for equality, and she cares deeply about the rights of LGBTQIA+ people and children. Her dream is to oversee STEAM-focused kindergardens all over the African continent.
