Newly crowned Miss Earth South Africa, Jessica Nel, is preparing to represent the country at the Miss Earth 2024 competition on 9 November. After winning the national title on 5 October at the Sandton Convention Centre, Nel is set to travel to the Philippines later this week to take on the global stage.
Miss Earth South Africa is dedicated to empowering young women while promoting environmental awareness. It celebrates individuals who are passionate about sustainability, conservation, and community impact. Nel embodies these values, and she’s eager to showcase them internationally.
In an interview with The Citizen, Nel shared her excitement: “It has been such a fulfilling and lifelong dream to wear this sash and represent South Africa on an international stage. I am thrilled about this incredible opportunity to bring my causes and initiatives to a global platform.”
Nel is deeply committed to two causes close to her heart: sustainability in the fashion industry and animal advocacy. For the past three years, she has partnered with Place A Pup Foundation, a non-profit that rescues and rehomes abused and injured animals from rural areas. “I have helped them host puppy yoga events, foster animals, and raise funds to cover medical bills,” she explained.
She’s also the founder of a sustainable fashion brand, Petal & Posy, which encourages renting evening dresses instead of buying new ones. “This helps people understand that it’s not necessary to buy a new dress for every event—you can rent one, which helps reduce the impact of fast fashion,” Nel added.
