Johnathan Paoli
Following a turbulent series of events surrounding the nationality of one of the finalists, Mia Le Roux was crowned Miss SA of 2024 by the beauty pageant.
Former Miss SA 2023 Natasha Joubert officially handed over the crown to the new queen at the Sun Bet Arena in Menlyn, Tshwane over the weekend.
Nompumelelo Maduna finished second with Onalenna Constantin in third place.
Le Roux is a model and marketing manager from Oudtshoorn, Western Cape and is currently a part-time BCom Marketing student.
Born in Sasolburg, Free State, Le Roux was diagnosed with significant hearing loss at the age of one, but has expressed gratitude to her community for the support in enabling her to receive treatment and her achievement despite her disability.
Le Roux said in her new role, she aims to continue inspiring others and advocate for transformation and inclusivity within the sector as well as across the country.
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie welcomed the crowning and congratulated Le Roux on her crown.
McKenzie insisted on the supposed non-racial nature of the pageant in line with the reconciliation preached by former president Nelson Mandela.
“We do not have a White Miss South Africa, we do not have a Black Springbok Captain, nor do we have a Coloured as the Banyana Banyana coach, we see them as South Africans,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, the Home Affairs department is continuing its investigations into controversial contestants Chidimma Adetshina, following the revelation of her mother’s alleged fraud and identity theft.
“The reason for the ongoing nature of the investigation is that its scope has broadened since the original request received from the organisers of Miss SA, based on the information uncovered by Home Affairs investigators thus far,” the department spokesperson Siya Qoza said.
Qoza said the department was considering laying criminal charges against all parties involved.
After her withdrawal from the competition, Adetshina has been officially invited to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant by pageant director Guy Murray-Bruce as a Nigerian by heritage.
“This is an opportunity to represent your father’s native land on an international stage. We believe you would be an outstanding contender,” Murray-Bruce said.
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