From Moshood Karim
Mia Le Roux was crowned Miss South Africa 2024 at a glittering ceremony held at the Sun Bet Arena, Time Square in Menlyn, Pretoria.
Hailing from the Free State, Le Roux made history as the first deaf winner of the prestigious title, breaking new ground with her cochlear implant.
Her victory paves the way for her to be the first contestant with such a disability to participate in the upcoming Miss Universe 2024 competition in Mexico.
Le Roux’s win was celebrated by many as a significant step toward inclusivity and representation in beauty pageants. As part of her triumph, she walks away with the coveted Mowana crown, a luxurious fully furnished apartment, a brand new Mercedes Benz, R1 million in cash, and a range of other exciting prizes.
However, the crowning moment was not without controversy. Nigerian communities expressed outrage over the treatment of Chidinma Adeshina, a contestant who was forced to withdraw from the competition under accusations of not being “South African enough.”
Critics have condemned the organizers, accusing them of partiality and AFROPHOBIA, a term highlighting the prejudice Africans sometimes show against one another.
The controversy has sparked a broader conversation about identity, nationality, and the concept of African unity within South Africa and beyond.
Nigerians and other Africans voiced their discontent on social media, lamenting that such incidents only serve to divide the continent, rather than celebrate its diversity.
As Mia Le Roux begins her reign as Miss South Africa, she not only carries the hopes of her country but also the responsibility of representing a more inclusive and unified African identity on the global stage.
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