Mrs Supranational Global Ambassador South Africa 2026, Wendy van den Berg, will be representing as Mrs Supranational Sub-Saharan Africa 2026 in Maynmar, South East Asia in August 2026

July 13, 2026

Mrs Supranational Global Ambassador South Africa 2026, Wendy van den Berg, will be representing as Mrs Supranational Sub-Saharan Africa 2026 in Maynmar, South East Asia in August 2026

Wendy van den Berg was crowned Mrs Supranational Global Ambassador South Africa 2026 on 20 June 2026 at Vodaworld Events in Midrand, and will be representing Mrs Supranational Sub-Saharan Africa 2026 on the international platform for Mrs Supranational Worlds, in Maynmar in South East Asia in August 2026.

The Purpose Beyond the Crown Initiative during Wendy’s Mrs Supranational SA Finalist 2026 journey

“There are moments in life that change you forever—not because they place a crown on your head, but because they remind you why you started the journey .”

"As I stood on the stage at the Mrs Supranational South Africa 2026 Grand Finale, surrounded by extraordinary women who had become sisters, time seemed to stand still.” “Every early morning, late night, every challenge, lesson, community project, every public choice vote and every person who believed in me came rushing back in a single heartbeat.”

“When my name was announced as Mrs Supranational Global Ambassador South Africa 2026, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.” “Not only was this was my first pageant, it had already become so much more than a competition.”

“ It had become a journey of discovering who I was as a leader, strengthening my faith and learning that true success is measured not only by the title you earn, but by the lives you have the privilege to impact.

“This is the story of that journey—a journey of growth, resilience, sisterhood, service and purpose.”

“A journey that reminded me that while a crown may open a door, it is purpose that creates a lasting legacy.”

Why I entered:

“When I entered Mrs Supranational South Africa, it was never simply about winning a crown.

I entered because I believed that a crown can create a bigger platform to amplify the work of Born With Purpose Foundation NPO and to reach more people whose lives could be transformed through hope, dignity and opportunity.”

“Over the years, I have dedicated my life to serving others through my businesses, education and community work. Pageantry offered me an opportunity to extend that impcat, give more than visibility; it offered a voice, influence and the responsibility to inspire meaningful change.”

“ I have always known that leadership is not defined by titles but by service. A crown represents honour, but it also carries responsibility.

“From the very beginning, I promised myself that if I was fortunate enough to wear a crown, I would wear it with humility, purpose and action. Because while a crown may open a door, it is what you do once that door opens that truly defines your legacy.”

The Journey Begins

The day I was announced as a finalist was both exciting and overwhelming. I had no idea what I was signing up for, but i knew I had committed to something that would challenge me, but I didn’t know it would challenge me in ways I had never experienced before. Looking back now, I can honestly say that this journey was one of the hardest things I have ever done—but without question, one of the most rewarding. And I would definitely do it again.!!!!

Many people see pageantry as glamorous. They see the gowns, the crowns, the photos and the stage. What they don’t see are the countless hours behind the scenes, the 4am mornings, the falling asleep with my phone in my hand and waking up in the exact same position ,the preparation, the deadlines, the community work, the fundraising, the sponsorship proposals, the public appearances, the interviews, the training, the planning, and the emotional investment that comes with representing something bigger than yourself.

Balancing the pageant while running multiple businesses, leading Foundation, educating students and managing my everyday responsibilities was incredibly demanding. There were days when my schedule felt impossible, and despite my best efforts, time management didn’t always go according to plan. Every day came with a new list of KPIs, responsibilities, and commitments. I often went to bed wondering if I had done enough, only to wake up and do it all again the next day.

One of the greatest challenges was stepping outside my comfort zone. I have always been fiercely independent. Throughout my life, I have worked hard for everything I have achieved and have rarely asked others for help. Seeking sponsorships was uncomfortable for me because it required vulnerability. It meant asking people to invest and believe not only in my journey but also in my vision. Although it was difficult, it became one of my greatest lessons. I learned that allowing others to be part of your dream is not a weakness—it is an opportunity to build meaningful partnerships and do so much more for your end goal.

This journey also taught me the importance of planning ahead, managing my time with intention, and accepting that I couldn’t do everything perfectly. Some days were incredibly difficult, but every challenge helped me grow into a stronger, more disciplined version of myself.

What surprised me most was that although I began this journey to build a bigger platform for the Foundation, I ended up finding myself along the way.

Perhaps one of the greatest gifts of this experience was discovering who would stand beside me no matter what. For six months, my life revolved around the pageant. There were long days, late nights, and countless commitments, yet my family, friends, supporters, sponsors, and pageant sisters continued to encourage me every step of the way. Their unwavering belief in me reminded me that no journey is ever walked alone.

This journey gave me so much more than titles—it gave me a deeper understanding of who I am and who I am capable of becomhing.

The Competition Experience

From the very beginning, I knew this competition would be about far more than what happened on stage. Every week brought new opportunities, new challenges, and new experiences that stretched me beyond anything I had expected.

Our journey began with workshops and training sessions that prepared us for every aspect of the competition.

One of the biggest surprises was the daily KPIs. Every day brought a new task, a new deadline, and a new challenge, with each one requiring different skills, creativity and careful preparation. While many people only see the glamour of pageantry, they don’t see the hours of planning and hard work that happen behind the scenes.

Balancing these daily responsibilities while running my businesses, leading the Foundation, and fulfilling my other commitments was incredibly demanding. The KPIs taught me discipline, time management, resilience and how to perform under pressure. They weren’t just preparing us for the competition—they were preparing us for the responsibility of wearing the crown.

Throughout the competition we had the privilege of attending sponsor events, networking with incredible businesses and individuals who believed in the Mrs Supranational vision. These experiences taught me the importance of building genuine relationships and representing not only myself, but also every sponsor and organisation that invested in our journey.

The media interviews and public appearances were another exciting part of the experience. Whether it was radio interviews, podcasts, magazine features, social media campaigns, or public events, every opportunity gave me another platform to share my heart, my story, and the mission of the Foundation. It reminded me that every conversation has the potential to inspire someone.

One of the most memorable parts of my journey was the Public Choice campaign. This was extremely important to me, not to win or be in the first place, but just to see if people actually align with my purpose and believe in my journey and the impact and change I’m trying to create.

Honestly, I didn’t think people would actually vote, but after being in first place the first month, I was grateful and then it happened again, the second month and continued all throughout the journey, I was extremely happy because this means that people actually believes in me and sees the change I am making. I think I was so focused on my end goal that I never took a moment to look around and see the impact that I was already creating, and that people were supporting me for it, standing by my side. I think I was a little naïve because it didn’t feel real to me until the very end.

Every vote represented someone who believed in me and in what I stood for. The unwavering support I received was overwhelming, and being named the Public Choice Winner with 66,500 votes is something I will always treasure.

I can only say thank you from the bottom of my heart South Africa. I am truly grateful and I will not disappoint you for believing in me and showing me that I am making an impact and I just couldn’t see it myself.

Community work remained at the centre of my journey from beginning to end. Through the Born With Purpose Foundation and later the launch of the Purpose Beyond The Crown initiative, I continued serving communities, supporting those in need, and using every opportunity to make a meaningful difference. The pageant never took me away from my purpose—it amplified it.

Perhaps the greatest gift of the competition, however, was the sisterhood. We entered as competitors, but somewhere along the journey we became a family. We celebrated each other’s successes, encouraged one another through difficult moments, shared laughter during long rehearsals, comforted one another when emotions ran high, and created friendships that extended far beyond the competition itself. The crowns may have been awarded to individuals, but every one of us walked away having gained something far more valuable.

I think the biggest lesson that I learned was that your biggest competition does not compete with you, they support you, they build you

And they make you a better version of yourself. And that’s when I realized these are the women I want as my competition because from them I can learn and grow.

One of the highlights of the journey was our lifestyle challenge at The Ranch Resort. It gave us the opportunity to step away from the demands of the competition and simply spend quality time together. We shared meals, laughed until our stomachs hurt, had meaningful conversations, encouraged one another, and created memories that will stay with us forever.

Challenges Along the Way

Balancing my businesses, the Foundation, my family & friends and the demands of the pageant stretched me in ways I hadn’t experienced before. There were moments when everything felt overwhelming, and I had to dig deep just to keep going.

One of the hardest lessons was accepting that not everyone will understand your journey or the sacrifices it requires. People often see the highlights but not the countless hours, dedication or the hard work behind the scenes. I learned to stay focused on my purpose rather than other people’s opinions.

Through it all, I learned how to stay grounded, protect my energy, and show up even on the days I felt unsure. This journey pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect, reminding me that progress isn’t always comfortable—but it’s always worth it.

My Achievements and Highlights

* Public Choice Winner (66,500 votes).

* Top 3 placement in her first pageant.

* Mrs Supranational Global Ambassador South Africa 2026.

* Thereafter receiving the title Mrs Supranational Sub-Saharan Africa 2026 to represent on a international platform.

* Launching Purpose Beyond The Crown.

Purpose Beyond The Crown

If there was one moment that defined my entire Mrs Supranational journey, it was the launch of the Purpose Beyond The Crown initiative.

Looking back, launching a brand-new initiative just ten days before the Grand Finale was probably not the smartest decision—but I don’t regret a single second of it. When I believe in something, I don’t wait for the perfect time. I find a way to make it happen.

Throughout the pageant, I was constantly challenged to step outside my comfort zone. Every workshop, every KPI, every deadline, every obstacle and every lesson prepared me for this moment. I didn’t realise it then, but everything I had experienced was equipping me to bring this initiative to life. It became the most meaningful part of my entire journey.

I’ve always believed in action over advocacy. It’s easy to tell someone to dream bigger, but I wanted to show these children what those dreams actually look like when you decide your worth.

The vision was simple: to bring children from both privileged and underprivileged backgrounds to experience the pageant, not so they could admire the dresses, crowns, or glamour, but so they could see what determination, resilience, and belief in yourself can achieve. I wanted them to understand that their current circumstances do not define their future. Their past is not their destination.

The first children I wanted to bless were from John Wesley Children’s Care Centre, a home that has always been close to one of my family members heart. My original goal was to bring just ten children to the pageant. But once again, this journey reminded me that I was capable of far more than I imagined.

Within just ten days, I raised between R45,000 and R50,000. What began as an opportunity for ten children grew into an unforgettable experience for 64 children.

The funds enabled me to purchase their pageant tickets, beautiful dresses, accessories, and everything they needed to feel confident and special. Friends also generously loaned dresses, and together we made sure every child felt like royalty. For one evening, I wanted them to know they belonged—that they were worthy, valued and deserving of every beautiful moment.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Unblemished Beauty Academy, Mario and Marianne, who volunteered their time to visit the children’s home and do every girl’s makeup. They made each girl feel like a queen and I will never forget their generosity.

I am equally grateful to the Kempton Park CPF Sector 2, especially Izelle and Charl van den Berg, for helping coordinate transport and logistics while I was occupied with rehearsals. Their support ensured the children arrived safely and allowed me to focus on my responsibilities, knowing they were in good hands.

BUT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, could have prepared me for what happened that evening.

As I walked onto the stage, I heard the children cheering at the top of their lungs. Poeple turning around to see them, They were waving handmade signs, jumping with excitement and celebrating as though one of their own had just stepped into the spotlight. In that moment, the competition disappeared. The titles disappeared. The crown disappeared.

And I have WON without a crown.

The name originally meant: win or lose the purpose for change will remain and continue, but as I stepped on stage I realized what it really meant… that the impact of the purpose was far greater thsn any tirle or crown.

The greatest gift was never what I received—but being able to give those children an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives. Because at the end of the day, people may forget what you said or what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

Little did I know how the impact on them would make me feel!

That evening reminded me exactly why I started this journey. It was never about wearing a crown. It was always about using it to open doors for others.

And I will be continuing this initiative with Born with Purpose Foundation.

How the Journey Changed Me

As a leader, I learned that leadership is about serving others and leading by example.

As a business owner, I became more confident in my ability to achieve what once seemed impossible.

As an educator, I realised that the greatest lessons are taught by the example we set, not just the words we speak.

As an advocate, I discovered that real change begins with action, and that even the smallest act of kindness can create a ripple effect.

As a woman, I embrace being perfectly imperfect in every way because thats what mwakes me authentic

Looking Ahead

Representing Sub-Saharan Africa on the international stage is an honour I will never take for granted.

I hope to represent my region with pride, integrity, and purpose.

This is only the beginning for Purpose Beyond The Crown. Alongside Born With Purpose Foundation I will continue creating opportunities, inspiring hope and proving that dreams really can become reality.

The pageant may be over, but my journey of serving others has only just begun.

And with extreme excitement… you can look forward to a action packed thriller, but that is all I can say for now..

My Reflection:

I may not be able to change the world, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying.