Sophie Ndaba's Miss SA tips and growing up in an orphanage

Johannesburg- The search for Miss South Africa 2016 has already begun. 

Regional judging for the pageant officially kicked off earlier this month, which will lead up to the glitzy finals in March next year. 

And, if you're ever thinking of entering the pageant, here's what celebrity judge Sophie Ndaba looks for in contestants. 

"Passion, a willingness to work hard, healthy competitive spirit, ambition, beauty inside and out. You cannot be a South African ambassador if you don't love this country and its people with their various cultures and traditions. And, if you are not familiar with the different cultures, you need to be willing to learn," Sophie revealed in a statement.

When Sophie isn't looking for SA's next ambassador, she loves making children's dreams come true as a philanthropist. This is something that's very close to her heart because she herself grew up in orphanage. 

"I grew up in an orphanage so I have a pretty good idea what little ones in children's homes dream of," she added.