"Loved the experience of learning about the art of Turkish Rug making. We were able to experience how the raw materials such as silk is spun, dyed and woven on these looms."

"We’re both storytellers. We feed off each other’s creative energies."

"When I was younger, I would only feel fulfilled when I saw my life through the lens of career, but this year revealed so plainly to me that life's moments are best celebrated with those you love"

"Maybe our approach wasn’t out-of-the-box enough"

"As a creative, it’s not every day your work gets recognized… and to be able to represent our country on this kind of global stage is really, really special."

"I think that if you are not comfortable, it really shows and I really believe that your energy speaks the loudest than any great outfit does. So if my energy is off because I'm uncomfortable, because I'm fidgeting, I'd rather be comfortable and allow my energy to speak the loudest."

"Good times made even better with good company."

"An ending is not a failure."

"I have a newfound tension when I step outside, a new anxiousness with my surroundings and belongings."

"I pray we’ll never settle in a place of ‘ganun talaga eh,’ wag tayo masanay ('it's just like that, eh,' let's not get used to that). Who we put in leadership need to be held accountable to the responsibility of protecting and uplifting the lives of the nation."

"The second was conquering others. There were so many times that people told me that I would fail.But I conquered others. I surrounded myself with people who uplifted me, supported me, and mentored me."

"For now, let’s continue to spotlight the communities who are still in need of aid. Many communities are still cut off from fresh drinking water, submerged under water or are in need of basic needs."

"The storms will always come but we can be better prepared, systems put into place to mediate or reduce the affects. How I pray that our public funds will be used with transparency and intention to protect the livelihood, safety and essential human needs of the Filipino people."

"So it's just been a really healing journey. I feel like I came back home to myself."

"We deserve so much better."

"I've achieved milestones that feel like have been years in the making, but that's not what I'm most thankful for. This year, I've finally built up the courage to reach out and lean on others when the going got tough"

"Celebrating the strength of the global cleft community and raising awareness for every child still waiting for care and those on their cleft journey."

"I’m very, very happy because I’m such a colorful person!"

"I’ve always taught myself to look for the beauty in it, to look for the beauty in the faces of the children, and to be grateful. I would bring this aspect as a Miss Universe to see situations with a silver lining, and to assess where I could give something, where I could provide something as a spokesperson. If I could teach also people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children would have a smile on their face."

"Faith is so foundational I can’t imagine being with a partner that also doesn’t support me and walk in faith with me on my same journey. So, it’s pretty much non-negotiable for me."

"Creativity, craftsmanship, intricate detail and vibrant colour. 🇵🇭 The Bagobo Tagabawa of Mindanao create intricate traditional garments woven from abaca and adorned with vibrant beadwork called pangulabe. Women wear beaded blouses (umpak ka bayi) and tubular skirts (sun’od), while men wear jackets (umpak ka mama), trousers (saro-ar), and headcloths (tangkulo). Each piece, taking up to two months to complete, features patterns inspired by dreams, nature, and epic tales — crocodiles, birds, flowers, and Mt. Apo — symbolizing the tribe’s deep connection to spirit (Manaman), people (Manobo), and land (Tana)."

"So the version of me now, I'm the healthiest I've ever been."

"When you are an ordinary person, there are many things you tend to just turn a blind eye on, but working on this project has opened my eyes that apart from people living with HIV, cancer or other ailments, people living with albinism require special attention"

"The project also gave sunscreen lotions, disinfectants and lip balms to people affected by this condition in Chitungwiza. I had the greatest feeling of my life just seeing a smile on their faces"

"I like her because she is an active philanthropist who helps organisations that work to improve education, human rights, health and the environment"

"My beauty with a purpose project has managed to secure funding of about $8 000 from Zimplats, from that $3 300 went to 15 children’s optometric visits. We managed to get them spectacles looking at how they are affected by the sun"

"Right now, I think I have learnt and know a lot. I have enough confidence. This is a comeback and I am happy to be taking part in this year’s pageant"

"models should work with professional agencies for them to succeed in the industry as they know the actual requirements"

"I took the tutorials by Marry Chiwenga. I said my aim is the crown. Here I am,"

"It means love and beauty is not only based on physical features, but intelligence, heart and love and that was what the late Kiki Divaris was made of"

"In 2014, I entered Miss Parade and was voted first runner-up. I am signed with Decean Modelling Agency in Cape Town, South Africa"

"I started modelling when I was very young. I was only 19 years-old. I did not know anything"

"It has been long since I did that. I also want to pay my tuition fees and at the same time look for someone who would want the same assistance"

"I am excited and still can’t believe this. It has been my dream and I thank God for the opportunity. The first thing that I am going to do with the money is to take my mother out"

"Speech therapy taught me the importance of language in education. When a child is not able to understand the language they are being taught in, we cannot begin to address later unemployment"

"Growing up in the Eastern Cape really grounded me. It taught me to remain humble and the importance of community. In Idutywa, I learnt how success is a collective effort. From drawing water to preparing meals for big family celebrations, if you want to accomplish something it starts with community"

"I am really focusing on playing my part in breaking the cycle of unemployment from its root cause through addressing our illiteracy crisis. I plan on collaborating with multilingual authors, translators and illustrators to produce books and resources that are tailored to all South African languages. And to create literacy workshops for parents and teachers in underserved communities, because transformation really begins at the roots"

"To me inclusive education means that a child’s financial, linguistic, cultural and socioeconomic background does not hinder them from receiving fair access to resources. True inclusion is acknowledging potential and providing resources for each child to succeed"

"My name really reminds me that being a leader is not about status, but really about service. Living up to that name now means remaining rooted in my purpose even in moments of discomfort. It motivates me to be the voice that creates space for others to grow and feel empowered in the spaces they step into"

"Our journey has been so deeply intertwined. Watching my sister on the Miss SA 2023 stage really showed me how attainable our big dreams are. She taught me how to remain graceful under pressure and to really stay true to myself regardless of where I am"

"I initially wrote the book for one specific child, but after seeing how it impacted her understanding of colours and counting, I wanted to make it more accessible to children. I started by self-publishing and distributing the one in isiXhosa, which I now plan to translate into all 11 official languages"

"I saw how much she transformed during her journey through Miss SA and what an incredible platform it is for self-development"

"I want you guys to see the kind of courage that it takes, the kind of thought and the mindset it takes and how sometimes you really just have to be willing to bet on yourself to be able to take it like one step further"

"It’s still sinking in. I am surrounded by community and so incredibly honoured. I plan to continue the work I have already started"

"But now with the support and guidance from Miss South Africa and Empower Youth Africa, we are able to do it on a bigger scale with more resources. I am so incredibly humbled"

"It feels like I’ve won the World Cup, but I walk - I was gonna say I walk out of this, but really I walk into this as a completely different woman. But I still carry my old self into it"

"They were really amazing. I think the sisterhood that gets born in that system is so beautiful because if you are missing an earing, someone has got you. If you are missing this or that, someone is always there to help. How we were stepping into an new era and having to now hold each other hands in support and not necessarily look at each other as competition, is comforting"

"I’ve carried so many of you guys with me and for me it really is a testament of intentional leadership and how if you really wanna see change within the systems that you step in, you need to just start somewhere"

"My heart is so incredibly full. If I’m being completely honest it feels like I’ve won the World Cup. That’s the best way I can explain it"