A luxurious bushveld escape becomes a celebration of sisterhood, self-discovery and the extraordinary women behind the sashes
15 September 2026: From the glamour of the Mrs South Africa stage to the untamed beauty of the Limpopo bushveld, the Mrs South Africa finalists recently embarked on one of the most anticipated chapters of their journey – the annual Mrs SA Lifestyle Challenge, hosted this year at the magnificent The Ranch Resort, in Limpopo. Mrs South Africa Finalists and team headed north for an entirely different kind of adventure.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Limpopo bushveld, The Ranch Resort provided the perfect setting for a few days of luxury, adventure, connection and transformation. Surrounded by nature and away from the pace of everyday life, the finalists had the opportunity to relax, reconnect and, of course, rise to the challenges that make the Lifestyle Challenge such an integral part of the Mrs South Africa experience.
The Lifestyle Challenge is far more than a glamorous getaway. It forms an important part of the Mrs SA life transformation programme, designed to develop confidence, leadership, wellness and personal growth while giving the finalists the opportunity to build lasting relationships with one another.
Over the course of the experience, the women took part in a carefully curated programme of workshops, team-building experiences and photo, video and content shoots, putting their individual strengths and personalities firmly in the spotlight.
And while there were challenges to conquer, there was plenty of time for laughter, luxury and a little bit of indulgence too.
Set in the heart of the Limpopo bushveld, The Ranch Resort offered the perfect setting for our finalists to reconnect with nature, embrace adventure and indulge in a little well-deserved luxury. Surrounded by expansive landscapes and the beauty of the African bush, the experience captured the true spirit of the Lifestyle Challenge – celebrating confidence, courage, connection, adventure and the joy of simply being present.
One of the most special elements of the experience was watching the sisterhood continue to grow. Although the women are ultimately competing for the coveted Mrs South Africa crown, the Lifestyle Challenge creates an environment where competition takes a back seat and genuine friendships, encouragement and shared experiences take centre stage.
For the finalists, these are the moments that become part of the Mrs SA memories they will carry long after the final walk across the stage.
“The Lifestyle Challenge is always one of the highlights of the Mrs South Africa journey. It is where our finalists get to step away from the pressures of competition, experience something truly special and, most importantly, spend time getting to know one another,” says Joani Johnson, CEO of Mrs South Africa. “This year, The Ranch Resort gave us a spectacular new setting in which to create those memories, and we are incredibly grateful to our hosts, partners and sponsors who continue to invest in the journey of our women.”
The Lifestyle Challenge also provides an important platform for Mrs SA’s valued sponsors and partners to become part of the finalists’ journey, bringing together beauty, wellness, fashion, lifestyle and personal development in an experience that reflects the multifaceted woman Mrs South Africa celebrates.
As the finalists now set their sights firmly on Pageant Week and the Preliminary Competition, the countdown to the crowning of the next Mrs South Africa is officially on. Tickets are now open on Webtickets!
From the bushveld to the bright lights of the stage, the journey continues and somewhere among these extraordinary women is the next woman who will wear the Mrs South Africa crown.
Because Mrs South Africa is not simply about finding a queen. It is about discovering the woman she is becoming along the way.
Note: The two finalists from Limpopo are Melissa Scott and Tsakani Mangolele
