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For Mrs South Africa 2025 finalist Talitha Oosthuizen, the pageant is more than a crown—it’s a calling. With courage rooted in her faith and a voice devoted to those who cannot speak for themselves, she’s using her platform to bring light to South Africa’s darkest crisis: human trafficking.
If I win Mrs South Africa, I’ll use that crown to amplify what I stand for — anti-human trafficking and empowerment.
“I entered Mrs South Africa because I’ve got a purpose,” Talitha says with quiet conviction. “I stand for anti-human trafficking — the fight against it — and I’m using this platform to amplify that.”
It’s not her first time competing. Talitha entered the pageant over a decade ago, in 2014. But this time, she says, everything feels different. “Back then, we didn’t have the workshops, the guidance, the mentors. Now, we have all of that, so there are no excuses,” she laughs. “I know who I am now. I’m ready.”
For Talitha, the pageant represents not just a personal milestone, but the fulfilment of a childhood dream. “That little girl had a dream to be something,” she says softly. “And now I’m doing this for her.”
Talitha’s passion for advocacy is deeply personal. “When I was a child, I experienced injustice,” she shares. “It wasn’t trafficking, but it was gender-based violence. That’s why this cause is so close to me — it’s personal. I want to give that little child, or woman, or man, who’s been through something like that, the hope to know there is a way out.”
She’s now the Gauteng face of Shattering Shackles, an organisation that raises awareness about human trafficking. “I do awareness talks at schools, corporates, radio stations, magazines—anywhere I can,” she explains. “In South Africa, over 250,000 people fall victim to trafficking each year. One in every five girls. One in every thirteen boys. And only one in 250 is rescued. Those are the ones we know about.”
Despite the darkness of her cause, Talitha’s tone remains full of light. “I just want to be a voice for hope,” she says. “Even if one person is saved, it’s worth it.”
Beyond the pageant stage, Talitha is the co-owner of Bush Whisper Expeditions and Bush Whisper Apparel, a proudly South African business that celebrates craftsmanship and conservation.
“We sell our beautiful African continent to the world,” she says. “We bring international clients to experience our wildlife and hospitality. But when COVID hit, we had to think out of the box.”
That thinking led to the birth of Bush Whisper Apparel, where every item — from handbags to soft toys — is locally made from South African materials. “We’re also accredited as a Proudly South African company,” Talitha says proudly. “And, we have an internship programme to give young people work experience. It’s part of our Bush Whisper Foundation. Everything connects.”
She adds that a portion of every sale goes toward anti-poaching and anti-trafficking initiatives. “Every product we make contributes to something bigger,” she says. “That’s what makes it meaningful.”
Talitha’s journey has not been without struggle. She openly shares her experience of overcoming an eating disorder — something she battled for 15 years.
“It started as a way to cope with trauma,” she says. “But one day, I realised I was destroying my body. I told God, ‘You need to take over. I can’t do this alone.’ And from that day, I stopped. I’ve never gone back.”
Today, she celebrates her body with pride. “For me, stepping into my swimwear is an accomplishment. It’s not about how I look — it’s about what I’ve overcome. I tell women: embrace what you’ve got. You’ve done it. You’ve survived. Flaunt it.”
Talitha’s faith is her anchor. “It keeps me grounded,” she says. “Me and my husband go to church every week. We have our quiet time. My faith gives me purpose and direction.”
Her husband of 15 years has been her rock throughout the Mrs South Africa journey. “When I entered in 2014, I wasn’t ready,” she recalls. “My husband actually told me, ‘You’re becoming one of them — not yourself.’ But this time, he said, ‘Go for it. I can see you’re ready now.’ I couldn’t do it without him.”
While she may not have children of her own, Talitha’s nurturing spirit shines through in the way she embraces her niece, nephew, and the vulnerable children she encounters through her advocacy work—offering them the care and protection of a mother’s heart. She draws strength from her close-knit family. After losing her father to COVID in 2021, Talitha now lives with her mother and her brother on the same plot of land in Benoni. “We’re all on the same property,” she smiles. “It’s wonderful. We’re close, but we give each other space.”
“If I win Mrs South Africa, I’ll use that crown to amplify what I stand for — anti-human trafficking and empowerment,” Talitha says. “I also want to focus on youth unemployment. I’m involved with Skills Passport, which helps high school learners with career guidance. We need to show our youth what’s possible here in South Africa.”
Her dream is to inspire others to live with purpose. “Mrs South Africa is not just about the glitz and the glam,” she says. “There are sacrifices, tears, and self-doubt — but there’s also incredible growth. If I can use this platform to inspire even one woman to chase her purpose, it’s all worth it.”
Through every part of her story — her advocacy, her faith, her family, her businesses — Talitha Oosthuizen’s message remains the same: purpose matters.
“There’s no age limit for purpose,” she smiles. “If you feel that calling in your heart, go for it. Stay humble. Stay authentic. And remember why you started.”
The Mrs South Africa 2025 finals are being held on 14 November 2025 at Emperors Palace. This year’s Mrs South Africa judging panel brings together a powerhouse of expertise, including former queens, industry icons and change-makers. Expect to see Matapa Maila, Jacqueline Ferns, Nivi Grogor, Dr Mpho Phalatse and Werner Wessels, each bringing their own insight into beauty, business, and purpose-driven leadership.
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