Murmurs of confusion and bewilderment were heard on social media after the Miss South Africa (Miss SA) organisation announced that Shudufhadzo Musida, this year’s pageant queen, was not cast for Miss Universe.
Instead, it was revealed that Musida would compete in Miss World and second princess Natasha Joubert would be fielded for the coveted Miss Universe pageant.
Musida’s runner-up and first princess Thato Mosehle will represent South Africa at the Miss Supernatural pageant.
The moment you have been waiting for South Africa!
— Miss South Africa (@Official_MissSA) December 10, 2020
INTRODUCING:
Your @MissWorldLtd South Africa 2020 @abigailmusida
Your @MissUniverse South Africa 2020 @natashajoub
Your @supranational South Africa 2020 @ThatoMosehle #MissWorldSA#MissUniverseSA#MissSupranationalSA pic.twitter.com/TpmjfyunAW
Why was Shudufhadzo Musida not fielded for Miss Universe?
Traditionally, the crowned Miss SA is sent to the global pageant contest Zozibini Tunzi won in 2019. But, for some reason, Musida was not considered for this competition.
In the end, the decision on which pageant content each of the three queens will partake in rests with the Miss SA organisation. While there are no explicit rules and prerequisites for the Miss Universe contest, it’s the prerogative of the participating country to select the best candidate.
For reasons that weren’t furnished by the time this article was published, Musida will not represent South Africa at Miss Universe. Instead, she will put her best foot forward and strut the runways of Miss World, a contest that holds equal prestige but gets the least amount of favour in views, compared to its big sister contest.
Some believe that the Miss SA organisation was acting in Musida’s best interests by not fielding her for Miss Universe. The court of public opinions has ruled that Joubert, an exotic model with a fiery aesthetic, has a better chance at keeping the crown home for the second year running.
It is. But we want to win.
— Chester Qha (@ChesterQha_) December 10, 2020
Shudu:
A virgin
A Beautiful African woman
Fit
She has Beauty with a purpose causes that she works with
She speaks well
Shes a walking TEDx talk….
Miss Universe you just become a celebrity…
Shudu is the best candidate since Rolene for a MW win
Shudu is perfect for Miss World. She has everything that Julia Morley is looking for in a Miss World.
— Chester Qha (@ChesterQha_) December 10, 2020
Natasha is a Perfect fit for Miss Universe… She's getting the appropriate practice.
Thato is a great choice for Miss Supra.
There is no sabotage. Shudu can win Miss World
Our attempts to reach the Miss SA organisation for comment were unsuccessful