Miss SA finalist Bridgette Jones has reacted to a viral video of a former work colleague who labelled her a “bully”.
Bridget is one of 10 women competing for the title of the 2025 edition of the pageant, which takes place on 25 October.
She is not the only contestant who has been accused of being a bully – in 2023, Levern José quit the competition over damning allegations about her surfaced online.
MISS SA FINALIST RESPONDS TO ‘BULLY CLAIMS’
In a statement posted on her Instagram account, Miss SA finalist Bridgette Jones responded to a viral TikTok video by a female former colleague, named Kayla Jenecker. In it, the woman accused Jones of being a “workplace bully”.
Reacting to the video, Jones shared: “These allegations are completely untrue.
Jones added that the accusations stemmed from a legal matter involving former colleagues, to which he had “no involvement.” Jones said that her former employer defended her against the allegations.
She added, “This situation has been deeply distressing, as it unfairly affects my name and reputation. I remain committed to representing myself with integrity and respect, both personally and professionally.”
‘SHE MADE MY LIFE A LIVING HELL’
In a series of TikTok videos that have gone viral, Kayla Jenecker – who happens to work in the pageant world – accused Miss SA finalist Bridgette Jones of being a “workplace bully” at a former company they both worked at.
Jenecker claimed that Jones and a group of other women had verbally harassed her, leading her to report the incident to management. Jenecker stated that she posted a video documenting her experience on Instagram. However, she was allegedly forced to remove it by the company CEO. She also states that in a disciplinary hearing – which is currently pending – Jones made “false statements” about her.
She said: “You can’t walk on a platform such as Miss SA organisation and think that its ok that you bullied someone.
“What she did affected me badly; it affected my mental health. When I saw her in the Top 10 I had to make a video. I had to speak out, I couldn’t be silent.
She added, “It’s not right what Bridgette Jones and her friends did. They made my life a living hell.
“I’m not doing this for fame or clout. What I went through was traumatic, and. I don’t want someone like this to represent our country”.
@kayla_jenecker @official_misssouthafrica 📢📢📢📢 #saynotobullying #takeastand #enoughisenough ♬ original sound – Kayla Jenecker
@kayla_jenecker @official_misssouthafrica My name is Kayla Jenecker and this is my Story #takingastand #workplacebullying #enoughisenough ♬ Yeshua Hamashiach – Josué Novais Piano Worship
MISS SA ISSUES STATEMENT ON BRIDGETTE JONES
Meanwhile, Miss SA have issued a statement about allegations of bullying levelled against Bridgette Jones.
It posted: “All our participants in the programme are expected to uphold the Miss South Africa code of conduct, which outlines our commitment to respect, integrity and accountability throughout the competition.
“Miss SA does not condone any behaviour that is not aligned with those values.
“While we take all concerns seriously, we are guided by our established protocols and rely on formal processes to deal with any complaints”.
