Miss Universe South Africa Melissa Nayimuli celebrates 30th birthday

Miss Universe South Africa 2025, Melissa Nayimuli, has marked a significant personal milestone as she celebrated her 30th birthday, reflecting on a transformative journey she describes as nothing short of a miracle.

The beauty queen took to Instagram to commemorate the occasion, sharing a series of videos highlighting key moments from her life. The clips offered fans an intimate glimpse into her personal growth, memorable experiences and the journey that has shaped her into the woman she is today.

Melissa is widely recognised in pageantry circles after being crowned Miss Universe South Africa 2025, a title that saw her go on to represent the country at the 74th Miss Universe competition in Thailand in November 2025. Her victory marked a defining moment in her career, elevating her profile both locally and on the international stage.

Reflecting on her years in her twenties, Melissa shared a heartfelt message about perseverance, faith and the lessons learned through challenges and delays.

“My last year in my 20s felt like a miracle. Like God looked at me and said, ‘Okay… now what else do you want?’ The journey to the wins was anything but easy. My 20s were pure character development, because every lesson, every delay and every stretching season had purpose, even when it didn’t feel like it at the time. As I step into my 30s, I do so humbled, deeply grateful and genuinely excited for what this next chapter holds,” she wrote.

Her message struck a chord with followers, many of whom praised her authenticity, faith and optimism as she embraces a new chapter filled with promise and possibility.