Meet The Team
The Dream Team
Mrs South Africa
Executive Team
Mrs South Africa has been under the guidance of well-known business woman and entrepreneur, CEO Joani Jacobs since 2012. She is supported by her executive Management Team who are all experts in their respective fields.
Chief Executive Officer
Joani Jacobs
Joani Jacobs is a South African entrepreneur, visionary leader, and author, with over two decades of experience in the modeling, pageant, and media industries. She is the CEO of Mrs South Africa (Pty) Ltd, a nationally celebrated women’s empowerment platform she has led since 2011, transforming it into one of the most respected and influential brands of its kind in the country.
Under her strategic leadership, Mrs South Africa has grown into more than a pageant – it is a platform dedicated to purpose, leadership, and meaningful impact. Joani’s ability to combine strong commercial strategy with authentic empowerment has positioned the organization as a benchmark in the industry.
She is also the Founder and CEO of ACE Models International, a global modeling and personal development academy operating across multiple countries. Through ACE Models, Joani has nurtured thousands of young women and aspiring leaders, focusing on confidence-building, personal growth, and professional development.
An award-winning businesswoman and former Mrs South Africa, Joani is widely recognized for her contribution to female leadership and youth development. She is the author of WORTHY, a book devoted to reminding women of their inherent value and power, reinforcing her life’s mission to help women remember their worth and step boldly into influence.
Joani is known for her visionary thinking, strategic expansion, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Her work continues to shape platforms that build leaders, empower women, and create legacy both nationally and internationally.
Contestant Wellness Manager
Candice Fehrsen
Candice has a degree in economics from the University of Stellenbosch and worked in the banking sector for over 10 years. From 2011 to 2016 she worked as the Mrs SA pageant manager. She has a heart for women and girls and has facilitated outreach programmes in local schools. She has worked with many charities, including sitting on the board of ‘Keep a Girl In School’. Due to her history with the pageant, she has extensive knowledge of the journey the contestants embark on. Her passion is to see women recognise their value and succeed in the big and little things. She returned to Mrs South Africa in August 2021 in the new role of Contestant Wellness Manager and will be on hand to offer guidance as well as emotional support to the Finalists.
Chief Finance Officer
Margaux Louw
Margaux has a B.Com (CA) degree from the North West University. Having spent many years in a corporate environment, Margaux joined us in permanent capacity early 2016. She brings with her extensive knowledge of finance and accounts.
Office & Sponsorship Manager
Melissa Watkins
Melissa is the Mrs South Africa Sponsorship director and office manager. She manages the relationship with partners. Melissa works closely with our sponsors to make sure objectives are achieved. Melissa joined us in the year 2016 and also acts as the executive assistant to our CEO. Melissa is currently studying towards her Post Grad Degree in Business.
Business Development Rep
Lourine Wannenburg
Lourine has been involved in the Model and Pageant industry for more than 18 years. She has also been involved with the Mrs SA program for the best part of 13 years and is happy to have re-joined in 2022, as Business Development Representative. In this role, her current focus is networking and sales and connecting the right people and businesses, in order to build relationships and fruitful partnerships. With many titles behind her name, including Mrs South Africa 1st runner up in 2008, she is passionate about the Mrs SA brand and the movement.
Official Stylist
Anja Cruse-Bothma
Anja Cruse-Bothma is a wife, mother and a seasoned professional with nearly two decades of experience in the global fashion and image industry. As the owner of iStyle established in 2009, she champions the cause of empowering women, one wardrobe at a time. Anja’s impressive journey includes roles as a luxury brand manager, fashion editor, and high-profile stylist. Her work has graced international stages as the official stylist for Mrs. South Africa, and styling for International Pageants and winners. Beyond fashion, Anja is a qualified NLP coach, emphasising personal growth and confidence. Her impact extends far beyond aesthetics as she is a beacon of transformation.
Head of Special Projects
Jo Judnick-Wilson
Mrs South Africa 2022, Jo Judnick-Wilson is a creative at heart, holds a BA in communication Science, with almost 30 years in the marketing, promotions and events industry, with extensive experience in the BTL space. Fondly known as her instagram handle @jozimom, Jo fully embodies the qualities of a real, relatable and virtuous woman, in her role as mother, wife, entrepreneur, influencer, guest speaker and MC.
Digital Marketing and Social Media Manager
Jesse Pretorius
With a degree and background in Film and Television Storytelling, he has found his greatest passion yet with Mrs South Africa. He prides himself in using creativity and strategy to equip the remarkable women of Mrs South Africa to tell their own stories within an ever changing and expanding digital landscape
Chief Operating Officer
Marlene Reddy-Ribeiro
Having been crowned Mrs SA 2nd Princess in 2016, Marlene serves as the Chief Operating Officer. She oversees the company’s operations and contestant journey, ensuring excellence at every stage. With a degree in Science and an Honours degree in Psychology, coupled with over 13 years’ experience as a National HR Lead, Marlene brings deep strategic and people-focused expertise to her role. In addition to serving on the Mrs South Africa Board of Directors, she has held board positions with Babies Behind Bars and Grayston Preparatory School and previously served as a SuperSport Let’s Play Ambassador.
Connect With Us
#mrsSouthAfrica
#YourTimeisNow
Mrs South Africa prides itself on its commitment to uplifting and celebrating all married women in South Africa.
