Miss South Africa (Miss SA) issued a statement dousing claims that current pageant queen Lalela Mswane would boycott the 2021 Miss Universe event taking place in Eilat, Israel., this December.
Miss SA: Lalela Mswane will compete at Miss Universe
The pageant organisation’s chief executive Stephanie Weil confirmed that despite rumours fanned on social media, Mswane “will represent South Africa at the Miss Universe competition.”
“This is contrary to any indication otherwise. Miss South Africa Organisation CEO, Stephanie Weil, said that she was aware there were statements indicating that Lalela had pulled out but that these were completely unfounded and untrue,” Miss SA noted in a statement.
Ignoring cries from South Africans who expected Mswane to show Palestinians support by not participating in the universal pageant contest, Weil stressed that this was an effort to make the Miss SA winner’s dream, of representing her country on the world stage, true.
“Mswane has spoken out openly about being bullied as a child. She will not be bullied as an adult against fulfilling her ambition,” the pageant organisation added.
Organisation lambasts South Africans for ‘robbing Mswane’
Mswane will compete against pageant winners from 70 countries whose citizens will be backing them all the way. However, it does not seem likely that South Africa’s pageant queen will receive unified support, with the country divided on Miss SA’s decision to field her for the universal contest, despite widespread condemnation.
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“Anyone who wants to rob Lalela of her moment in the spotlight is unkind and short-sighted. She is the shining beacon for young women everywhere, showing them that being beautiful while being clever and educated is very possible.
“We are not a political organisation and The Miss Universe pageant is not a politically inspired event,” Weil said.
Mswane has, for the most part, kept away from addressing her fans’ concerns on social media.
