Twenty-three-year-old Tamaryn Green, from Paarl in the Western Cape, was crowned Miss South Africa 2018 on Sunday, May 27. At the time of winning the title, she was a sixth and final year medical student at the University of Cape Town with her sights set on specialising in paediatrics once she qualifies.
Green, who matriculated from New Orleans Secondary School and was head girl in her final year, was no stranger to beauty pageants when she entered Miss South Africa and had an impressive list of wins to her name before taking the country’s most prestigious title.
Both her parents are teachers and she has an older sister, who is a physiotherapist, and a younger brother who is at university.
She is athletic and loves hiking and swimming as she believes exercise helps with both physical and mental health.
Green loves popcorn, doesn’t eat chocolate and lists her favourite meals as a braai (barbecue) with braai broodjie (a sandwich, traditionally made with cheese, tomato and onion and cooked on a grid on an open fire) and sushi.
She explains why she wanted to be Miss South Africa and what she hopes to achieve during her reign: “I have always been passionate about making a positive and progressive difference in the lives of others. I grew up being exposed to two very different worlds: the fortunate and less fortunate. I want to assist in bringing those two worlds together. Actions speak louder than words; I want to be a voice to those who cannot be heard, a servant and role model to South Africans and to the people of the world at large.
“Importantly as Miss South Africa I want to inspire and empower women to be the best version of themselves. I want to show them that we have a voice and it can be heard, seen and valued. As a woman I believe there is a golden thread linking all women across the globe. Together we put the building blocks in place to uplift, inspire, nurture and educate.
Her favourite quote is from Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you want to see in the wor