Miss SA to contest for Miss Universe in Israel despite criticism

The Miss SA organisation will not boycott Miss Universe in Israel.

Spokeswoman Janine Greenleaf Walker confirmed Miss SA Lalela Mswane will take part in Miss Universe, despite inkosi Mandla Zwelivelile Mandela’s open letter, calling on all Miss Universe participants to boycott the pageant.

Mandla’s argument was that Israel was an apartheid state.

He said: “We call on all countries to boost their efforts to isolate apartheid Israel and cut all ties. be it trade, culture, sport, recreation or diplomatic.

“We call on all African countries to withdraw from the Miss Universe pageant in apartheid Israel in protest at its observer status granted unilaterally by the AU Commissioner. We call on all the Miss Universe participants from all over the world to send us letters announcing their withdrawal and disassociating from an event that normalises the apartheid Israel daily killing, bulldozing of homes and orchards and maiming young and innocent children.”

Other organisations, such as Palestine Solidarity Alliance, have also called upon Miss SA to boycott the pageant. But Walker told Daily Sun Miss SA would attend the event.

“Miss South Africa Organisation is not getting involved in a political war of words and looks forward to watching Miss SA make the country proud on an international stage,” she said.

Miss Universe is set to take place next month.

Heartbreaking Scenes: Father and his twin sons buried

The Velengceni twin brothers from Covid squatter camp in Cape Town have been buried, along with their father. Aphiwe and his twin brother Aviwe (both aged 7) died on Friday, 8 October along with their dad Lindile Zothe.

They died after trying to save Lindile (47) from a shack fire earlier that day. The publication published their story, headlined: “Twins died saving dad.”

On Thursday, 4 November, their three coffins were taken to the place where they died before travelling to the Eastern Cape for their burial.

Family member Siyabulela Botya (45) said they were still struggling to accept their deaths.

“We are all not coping, especially their mother. She still doesn’t eat and she’s always crying.”

Siyabulela said it was important to first take the bodies where the incident happened, so they didn’t bother them on their way to the Eastern Cape.

They were buried on Saturday, Saturday 6 November at Kubengu Village in Lady Frere, Eastern Cape.

“On the day of the incident, their mother woke up and took them and another child outside, they then heard their father screaming for help and they went back inside,” said Siyabulela.

He believes the reason their mother was struggling to accept the deaths was after she had already saved them, because they heard their father, they went back inside.

“They loved their father and this was showed by their actions. We are hoping that one day we will find closure. But for now it’s too much.”

Siyabulela thanked everyone who assisted them.

“It was not easy to bury three people at once, but we are grateful to everyone who assisted us. They are too many of them. I cannot mention all their names,” said Siyabulela.

Neighbour Siyabonga Mdambatya (54) said the death of the twins and their father has left everyone hurt.

“It’s not only the family that are feeling hurt, but the deaths of the twins and their father hurts so deep.”

He said the twins were lovely kids who loved their father and everyone. “I think they were just like their father. He loved everyone and was always joking.”