By Lewis Nyamakosi
Reading Time: 4 minutes
What happens when two lifelong dreams collide, forcing a choice between a national stage and a career-defining move across the world? For many, the decision would feel like a loss. But for former Mrs South Africa semi-finalist Melissa Malander, withdrawing from the competition to move to the UK wasn’t a surrender—it was a repositioning.
​Now, as she prepares for the Mrs UK World finals in Leicester this February, she opens up about the “grief” of walking away, the courage to choose obedience over emotion, and why she believes 2026 isn’t a year of redemption, but a masterclass in alignment.
​The Difficult Choice
​You were a semi-finalist for Mrs South Africa when an incredible job offer came along. Walk us through that moment. How do you choose between a dream on stage and a dream in your career?
​It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make because neither option was a fallback. Both were dreams I had prayed for and worked incredibly toward. Accepting the new role in the UK meant walking away from something that to me represented purpose, visibility, and years of personal growth. There was real grief in that moment.
​Ultimately, I had to choose obedience over emotion. The career opportunity was not just a job. It was a door opening into growth, incredible opportunities and the ability to better support my family. I reminded myself that purpose is not tied to one stage or a title. When you are walking in alignment, what is meant for you will find you again, even if the path looks different.
​Was there a specific moment where you realized you could have both, just in a different country?
​Yes. The realization came once I had settled into my new life in the UK and allowed myself to stop mourning what I had left behind. I began to see that the very thing I thought I had lost was simply being repositioned.
​When the opportunity to compete for Mrs UK World presented itself, it felt like confirmation. The calling had not disappeared. It had expanded. That moment reminded me that dreams do not expire. Sometimes they just relocate.
​Advice for the Crossroads
​Many women feel they have to choose between professional success and personal passions. What would you say to the woman currently standing at a similar crossroads?
​I would tell her that choosing one path now does not mean abandoning the other forever. Life moves in seasons, and each season demands different levels of focus and sacrifice.
​What matters most is making decisions from a place of purpose rather than fear. Trust that when you remain aligned with who you are and what you are called to do, the pieces will come together. You are not behind. You are being prepared.
​A New Stage in the UK
​As you prepare for the February finals in Leicester, what has been the most surprising part of the UK pageant scene compared to home?
​What has surprised me most is how strongly the UK pageant space embraces diversity of background and lived experience. There is a deep appreciation for substance, leadership, and social impact, not just presentation.
​It feels less about fitting a mould and more about standing firmly in who you are and what you represent. That aligns beautifully with my values and has made this journey incredibly affirming.
​Do you feel like 2026 is your redemption year, or do you see it as an entirely new chapter unrelated to the Mrs South Africa withdrawal?
​I see 2026 as a continuation, not a correction. Redemption implies failure, and I do not view my withdrawal from Mrs South Africa as a loss. It was a necessary decision made in faith and responsibility.
​This year represents growth, clarity, and alignment. I am stepping forward stronger, more grounded, and more intentional than ever before. It is not about reclaiming something I lost, but about fully stepping into what I was being prepared for.
​The Final Goal
​If you walk away with the Mrs UK World crown in February, what will that victory mean to you?
​It would mean validation that purpose transcends borders. Personally, it would be a powerful reminder that when you choose faith, integrity, and courage, the journey always leads you exactly where you are meant to be.
Beyond that, the crown would represent responsibility. It would amplify my ability to advocate for women and children, to create access in male-dominated industries, and to use my voice on a global platform for meaningful change. The true victory would be the impact that follows long after the stage lights fade.
Editor’s Note: Melissa Malander’s story is a profound reminder that our paths are rarely linear, but they are always purposeful. Her transition from the South African stage to the UK finals is a testament to the power of alignment. As she prepares for the stage in Leicester this February, she carries the story of every woman who has ever had to choose between two versions of herself—proving that when you choose integrity over fear, you always end up exactly where you are meant to be.
