The Miss South Africa 2024 pageant, which concluded on Saturday night at the Sun Bet Arena in Menlyn, Pretoria, saw Mia Le Roux, a model from the Free State, claim the coveted crown. However, the event has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding former finalist Chidimma Adetshina, whose withdrawal from the competition sparked heated debates across the continent.
The controversy began when Chidimma Adetshina, a model of Nigerian and Mozambican heritage, was forced to exit the competition due to intense bullying from some black South Africans who argued that she could not adequately represent them because of her background. This sparked a backlash from Nigerians and other Africans, who criticized the actions of the South African community, pointing out that despite their objections to Adetshina’s participation, they still failed to produce a black winner.
In a dramatic twist, after Adetshina’s departure, Kirsten Khan and Kebalepile Ramafoko were brought in to secure their spots in the top 10. Yet, it was Mia Le Roux, a 28-year-old model from the Free State, who ultimately triumphed over her competitors. Le Roux’s victory is particularly noteworthy as she made history by becoming the first model with a hearing impairment to be crowned Miss South Africa.
The competition’s final showdown saw Le Roux emerge victorious over nine other finalists, including Layla Zoubair, Lebohang Khoza, Nompumelelo Maduna, Onalenna Constantin, Ontshiametse Tlhopane, Palesa Lombard, Taahira Katz, Kirsten Khan, and Kebalepile Ramafoko. Her win has been celebrated as a groundbreaking moment for inclusivity in beauty pageants.
However, the controversy surrounding Adetshina’s withdrawal continues to linger. On Sunday, Nigerian music superstar Burna Boy added fuel to the fire by posting a photo of Mia Le Roux on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “So after all that… (laugh emoji),” leaving followers to interpret his cryptic message. His post has been widely interpreted as a subtle jab at the controversy that plagued the pageant.
This follows an earlier incident where South African singer Tyla faced backlash for supporting Adetshina after she withdrew from the competition. Tyla’s support for Adetshina highlighted the divisions within the South African community and the broader African diaspora over the issue.
As the dust settles, Mia Le Roux’s historic win is celebrated, but the underlying tensions surrounding Chidimma Adetshina’s withdrawal serve as a reminder of the complex and often contentious nature of national identity and representation in modern Africa.
Judith Iyoh writes fashion, lifestyle and real estate investment.
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