Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane has emerged as the second runner-up at the just concluded Miss Universe 2021– after representing her country without the government’s support. South African authorities withdrew their support for her while protesting against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, though the organizers urged countries not to politicize the pageant.
In a BBC report, the country’s Arts and Culture minister Nathi Mthethwa said “the atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians are well documented,” and it could not “in good conscience associate itself with such.” Adding that Miss Mswane “should have withdrawn for the sake of South Africa’s global standing.”
Nevertheless, Israel has denied being associated with committing atrocities against the Palestinians.
Believing that boycotting the pageant would not help make a “substantial difference,” Lalela Mswane wore a white outfit as her national costume. The costume signifies the “dove of peace” in South African culture, showing “–the spirit of Ubuntu – a nation that has shown that lasting peace can be achieved.”
Fans on social media have commended her for the hard work and resilience she has shown despite the controversy that surrounded her artiti[ation at the world’s biggest pageant competition. Among them include South African Freinds of Israel on Twitter,–writing “congratulations Miss Sout Africa Lalela! You stood for what you believed and rejected hate #BDS. Thank you for representing us proudly.
CONGRATULATIONS MISS SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦 LALELA! You stood up for what you believed in and rejected the hate of #BDS. Thank you for representing us proudly! pic.twitter.com/R510SDKuex
— South African Friends of Israel (@MZANSIISRAEL) December 13, 2021
Other African beauty queens who participated include Nigeria’s Miss Maristella Okpala, who bags the Best in National Costume award, among others.
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