Mia Le Roux, a 28-year-old model and marketing manager from the Free State, was crowned the 2024 Miss South Africa at a grand ceremony held at the Sun Bet Arena in Time Square, Menlyn, Pretoria. Her victory is historic as she becomes the first deaf woman to hold the prestigious title. However, the pageant has not been without its controversies, sparking widespread reactions from Nigerians and South Africans alike.
Le Roux, who also studies B Com Marketing part-time, triumphed over nine other contestants, marking a significant achievement in her life. In her acceptance speech, she expressed her desire to inspire those who feel excluded from society, stating, “I hope my victory will help those who feel excluded from society to achieve their wildest dreams, just like I am.” She emphasized her commitment to helping individuals who are “financially excluded or differently abled.”
The competition, however, was marred by the withdrawal of 23-year-old law student Chidimma Adetshina, following a citizenship controversy. Adetshina, who was born in Soweto and raised in Cape Town, has a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent. Her participation in the pageant became the subject of intense scrutiny after a report from the South African Home Office suggested that her mother might have committed identity theft and fraud during her registration.
Amid the controversy, Adetshina chose to withdraw, citing the emotional toll of the situation. She later described herself as a victim of “black-on-black hate,” highlighting a strain of xenophobia in South Africa known as “afrophobia,” which often targets people from other African countries.
The reaction to Le Roux’s victory has been mixed, with many Nigerians taking to social media to express their views. Grammy Award-winning artist Burna Boy posted a cryptic message on his X account, saying, “So after all,” accompanied by a laughter emoji, seemingly referencing the controversy surrounding Adetshina’s withdrawal.
Reno Omokri, a former special assistant to ex-Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, also weighed in.
“The winner of the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant is a perfect example of the Nigerian proverb, which says: When two brothers fight to the death, a neighbour will inherit their father’s property,” he wrote on X adding, “I sincerely hope those South Africans who did not consider Chidimma to be their representative feel represented now.”
Le Roux’s triumph is seen by some as a milestone for inclusivity, given her journey as a deaf woman overcoming societal barriers. Diagnosed with severe hearing loss at the age of one, she underwent two years of speech therapy before she could speak her first words. Her story of resilience has resonated with many, as she shared that her community’s support in giving her the gift of hearing inspired her desire to make a positive impact.
In her words after being crowned, Le Roux proudly declared, “I am a proudly South African deaf woman, and I know what it feels like to be excluded. I know now that I was put on this planet to break boundaries, and I did that tonight.”
As the dust settles on this year’s Miss South Africa pageant, the discussions it sparked about identity, inclusivity, and xenophobia are likely to continue, reflecting broader societal issues in South Africa and beyond.
