Kerishnie Naiker was crowned as '' Miss South Africa 1997 '' . By entering the election , she intended to bring public attention to the large population of South Africans of Indian ancestry , who are an important part of South Africa 's history , identity , culture and population , and to raise awareness on tuberculosis . Upon winning the competition , she became the first South African of Indian descent elected Miss South Africa . She became the eventual winner of the title , gaining the right to represent South Africa in Miss Universe 1998 , ( the first time a Miss South Africa represented the country in that pageant ) , and Miss World 1998
Miss World 1998
Miss World 1998
Kerishnie Naicker