With “sheroes” such as Thuli Madonsela and Caster Semenya, the three Eastern Cape finalists in the top 30 of Miss South Africa want to show the world that they, too, are women of substance.

Zimi Mabunzi, 26, of Qonce (formerly King William’s Town), Kaylan Matthews, 25, of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Mawusive Sibutha, 24, of Ntabankulu (near Mount Frere) are all go-getters in a pageant which is increasingly embracing diversity...