Miss South Africa (Miss SA) Shudufadzo Musida is being targeted by disgruntled social media users who believe she may have gotten preferential treatment at her graduation.
Miss SA trends for the wrong reasons
It’s grad season in Mzansi so, naturally, social media is flooded with hearty posts from students who’ve towed the line in what has been a very unusual year or two.
Due to ongoing restrictions enforced by the continued spread of COVID-19, tertiaries have had to adopt a new approach in seeing off graduates.
Virtual ceremonies are the new norm, where graduates receive their honours and celebrate this momentous feat via shared screens and social media posts.
However, confusion was felt across the board when Musida posted a video of herself strutting along an empty auditorium at the University of Witwatersrand, in her graduation gown.
After my virtual graduation today, I had an interview opportunity with VC Prof Zeblon Vilakazi & of course I went in my grad attire. This pandemic has led to trying times & uncertainty for everyone. To all students who had to persevere even in the least ideal times… phambili✊ https://t.co/AZRqJq9bk2 pic.twitter.com/UMUHA1pJZ2
— Shudufhadzo (@abigailmusida) July 20, 2021
Unlike many of her peers, Miss SA managed to get a picture taken of her next to Vice Chancellor Professor Zeblon Vilakazi.
Musida made it clear in her post that she also celebrated her graduation virtually but was allowed the opportunity to interview the vice chancellor in her grad attire.
“This pandemic has led to trying times and uncertainty for everyone. To all students who had to persevere even in the least ideal times… phambili,” Musida wrote in her caption.
Social media reacts to Shudu’s graduation
Of course, this caption didn’t help a great deal in silencing naysayers from expressing their disgruntlement with the preferential treatment Musida was awarded.
Social media has since been divided in opinion about Miss SA’s actions. Here are some of those reactions:
Wits should have read the room re Miss SA. Even if she graduated virtually, her showing up in grad gear and being filmed walking the stage while others didn’t even get their names on the screen was
— Stay at home (@naledimashishi) July 21, 2021
And before anyone calls me jealous I got to graduate in person.
One thing about South African black Twitter, the truth doesn't matter only their narrative matters
— Thembisile Q (@Thembisile_Q) July 21, 2021
So apparently Miss SA wasn't having a physical graduation but she decided to wear her full grad attire to an interview, but no the bees are ignoring that part, y'all hate Shudu
This Miss SA thing is interesting. If we all sit with the understanding that occupying certain positions in the society carries special benefits, why do we still cry foul when this is confirmed? Would we rather not be shown what we already know to be true?
— Mahlatse (@missmokone1) July 21, 2021