Embodying compassion, beauty, and grace, Miss South Africa 2022 Ndavi Nokeri is passionate about seeking plausible solutions to tackle inequality and the digital divide in our country. Before her coronation, the Investment Management graduate worked in an angel investing business where she reviewed many start-up companies for funding and co-facilitated an event hosted by the UNDP, that was aimed at mentoring and up-skilling young entrepreneurs. Thereafter, the astute model made her debut in corporate and worked for one of the biggest asset management firms in South Africa.
Being an advocate for equal access to education, Ndavi believes that South Africa can build empowered and innovative leaders by equipping underprivileged pupils with the necessary resources. With her passion for upskilling the youth tied together with her background in investment, she became an ambassador for the JSE to get more people involved in the investment challenge.
Moreover, Ndavi is a Cricket South Africa brand ambassador, and has been featured in multiple magazine issues such as True Love Magazine, Glamour South Africa, Vogue Philippines, among others.
We had a chat with the visionary where she shared her favourite things, ranging from health and fitness to leisure activities such as painting.
Watching and supporting South African sports
I love being patriotic for my country, especially through sports. I started playing sports when I was about 5/6 years old and one of my dreams was to play for South Africa. I mean, I ended up doing that at Miss Universe, so let’s say that dream came true. But it also just fills my heart to see the country come together to support a common goal.
My morning routine
I wake up, make my cup of coffee, and read my devotion in the morning breeze on the balcony. I literally feel like my day is chaotic if it doesn’t start with this morning routine. Waking up, making my coffee and sitting down to have my quiet time is the biggest gift I give myself daily – it grounds me, and reminds me that God is above everything, which helps my decision making throughout the day.
At home workouts
I love at home workouts, you literally just need yourself, some space and you can build the body of your dreams. I normally follow workouts by @growinggananas on YouTube, and I tend to lean more towards the HIIT workouts. This is also one of the ways I remind myself that I can do anything, because surely if I can finish a killer workout, I am up for any other challenge during the day.
My family
I am absolutely nothing without my family – they are my pillars. I am the youngest so everyone tends to make my business their business and I love it! They are my best advisers and biggest supporters. I’ve learnt that I am able to show so much love to those around me because of all the love my family continues to pour into me.
Painting
I recently discovred my love for painting. It shocked me how therapeutic I found it to just trust my mind to create the outcome I have envisioned, and creating a masterpiece. It is a way for me to disconnect from the external world and just be.
Playing Board games
Having played sports from such a young age, that competitive edge has never left me. So I thrive off of playing boardgames, and if we were to ever play together, I’d highly recommend that you choose to be in my team. I’m always up for a fun challenge.
Facials
My skin is currently in its best state ever, and for me it all started with my facials. I go for facials as often as possible, for both the relaxation element and of course the amazing results.
Reading books
This didn’t come naturally to me, but I had always loved the idea of getting lost in a book, so I intentionally started reading and once I found my kind of books, there was no stopping me. The first book I ever finished from cover to cover was “The Monk who sold his Ferrari” and since then, I never looked back.
Avo
Coming from Limpopo, where we have an abundance of fruit, it has become one of my favourite things to eat. But if I had to choose one, it would definitely be avocado. Avo on a pizza, avo in a salad, avo on toast, avo by itself – I want it all!
Music and Karaoke
I love music. It is such a powerful tool – it can make people happy, calm your nerves, get you to focus, etc. And I have always believed that I am a good singer, some agree, some disagree, but you will always find me holding a karaoke mic.
