By: Natasha Archary

Miss SA 2023, Natasha Joubert announced her engagement to her partner of 8 years on Monday, 26 February and the news sparked questions about her eligibility at international pageants.
While her followers were thrilled that she had found her forever significant other, most Miss SA fans were concerned about whether Natasha was giving up her pageant ambitions, particularly her entry into Miss Supranational 2024.
One question that stood out online over Natasha’s engagement announcement was whether Miss SA is allowed to date during her reign.
“Can MissSA date during their reign? Things have really changed!”
An Instagram user commented on Miss SA’s post congratulating Natasha on her engagement
Natasha is the first Miss SA to get engaged during her reign as the competition rules changed in 2022, to allow contestants who are either currently married or have been married in a progressive move.
Previously Miss SA winners were not allowed to be in a relationship, let alone be married, have kids, or be pierced with tattoos.
So, yes to answer the social media user’s question, the rules for Miss SA have certainly changed over the years.
In 2021, Miss SA made history by allowing transgender women to compete in the pageant.
Regarding Natasha’s eligibility for the Miss Supranational 2024 pageant, the rules are clear that contestants are to remain unmarried during their time competing in the pageant.
This doesn’t seem to matter to Natasha however, who made mention in her Instagram story that she will soon be ex-Miss SA.
Natasha has also not expressed interest in entering the Miss Supranational pageant but did stress her focus would be to make a difference in South Africa during her reign.
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