Miss SA Lands Govt In Trouble With Miss Universe Participation

Lalela Mswane, Miss SA 2021, is finally in Israel ahead of the Miss Universe pageant set to happen in two weeks. But her nightmare on the journey to the pageant is yet to come to an end.

As City Press reports, the model may have landed the government in trouble with its citizens once again. According to the reports, a non-profit organisation called Citizens for Integrity will be taking up the issue. Through a legal representative, the organisation will be dragging the government to court to challenge its decision to withdraw support for the young beauty queen in her quest.

Social media users are now enraged all over again at Miss Lalela, even though she has nothing to do with this new development. The general sentiment is that the non-profit organisation has no business meddling in the matter, as the government gets to give or withdraw its support at will, and does not owe them an explanation.

This comes just days after Lalela finally landed in Israel. Her journey there has been met with more roadblocks than many people have to deal with in a lifetime, but it has not deterred her from pursuing her dream.

It remains to be seen what will come of the court proceedings brought against the government. As it stands, the beauty queen is representing the country, although many tweeps who were opposed to her going do not agree. According to them, she is competing in the pageant as a private citizen because neither her government nor her fellow citizens support the act.

But how many of us would say we have kept going amidst so many obstacles? Just a few days back, the whole country doubted whether she would be able to go to Israel after all, since the country banned all travellers from Mzansi, following the discovery of a new Covid-19 variant. In addition, one of Lalela’s fellow contestants was reported to have tested positive for the virus, and it was unclear how everything would proceed.

However, it looks like Lalela’s ancestors are working overtime to get her this win. She has overcome all the obstacles and is walking tall in her ambitions. She has wanted this since she was a little girl, and it would be a shame to watch her get stopped now.

We wish Lalela all the best on her journey. The fact that so many people are willing to fight for her, including a non-profit with which she has no known connection, speaks to how much she has inspired the country in her strong resolve. For now, we wait to see what the government will have to say.

Photos: Outfits worn by Miss SA finalists

No beauty pageant would be complete without a sparkling crown or glamorous gowns — and the finale of the 2021 Miss SA competition delivered on both fronts.

On Saturday night the stage erected in the Grand Arena of Cape Town’s GrandWest Casino turned into a runway as the 10 finalists modelled garments by some of the country’s brightest design talents.

This included Tracy Efstathiou of TracyB Swimwear, Georges Malelu (formerly of Quiteria and George), Jolandie Fouche of Jolache Couture, Lena-Lisa Retief of Lena-Lisa and Iman Itumeleng Mtshali of Iman Shaik.

Winner Lalela Mswane and runners-up Moratwe Masima and Zimi Mabunzi also donned striking red dresses by Willet Designs Couture for the crowning ceremony.

Former Miss SA hospitalised in emergency room – Shock as doctors can’t find the problem

Former Miss South Africa and Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss was discharged from hospital on Tuesday.

The news of her hospitalisation was shared by her husband Daniel Strauss on social media.

He wrote: “On Sunday evening, Rolene Strauss fell extremely ill and we had to rush her to the emergency room … I have known her for more than nine years and she has never been ill. So this is very difficult for me to see.

Our boys do not understand why mommy is not coming home and it breaks my heart. I hope you feel better soon. You are in good hands.”

Daniel had said they didn’t know what was wrong.

“We don’t know what’s wrong and doctors ran numerous tests to try to figure it out, but we don’t know anything yet. Doctors do not suspect the illness that the media is writing about all the time, so I could visit her,” he said.

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Speaking about her condition, Rolene said: “Initial thoughts were that I might have appendicitis, but that was ruled out after various tests and special investigations today.

“We are not exactly sure what the cause of the pain is yet, but the pain medication is helping, and I am optimistic.

“My heart aches for my two boys who don’t understand where mommy is and what is wrong with her.”

Rolene also took to her Instagram account to thank everyone for their messages of support and prayers.

“I am recovering and happy to be back home with my boys and talking to all of you,” she said.

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Miss SA Organization Slams Cyberbullying Directed At Shudufhadzo Musida

The Miss SA organization has weighed in on the cyberbullying directed at the reigning Miss South Africa Shudufhadzo Musida.

This follows after she posted pictures of her looking breathtaking in a stunning bikini which perfectly shows off her banging body and curves and some tweeps were not impressed.

Speaking to TshisaLive Miss SA CEO Stephanie Weil, has slammed hate directed at Shudu and said the beauty queen is currently on a much deserved holiday after a whirlwind and demanding timetable following her crowning.

“In response to social media comments about Miss SA posting images of herself in a swimsuit, taken at her apartment on the weekend, we would like to point out Shudu has been on a well-deserved holiday after a whirlwind and demanding timetable following her crowning in October last year, a period in which she also completed her honours in international relations at the University of Witwatersrand.”

The beauty dominated the Twitter trends list yesterday after posting the pictures and several tweeps weighed in on her showing more of her skin with some saying she is not “fulfiling her Miss SA obligations.” Although some complimented her banging body some tweeps felt she has not been tacking burning issues which affects the masses.

@Nthlahle said: “Current Miss SA ke Mathata (is a problem). No nice/motivational message. She only tweet nudes.”

@AdvoBarryRoux wrote: “Our new Miss SA is always walking around Sandton mall half naked.”

@isbhamuu wrote: “As much as I love Shudu she hasn’t been influential…besides the body positivity she hasn’t spoken on any current societal injustices , no encouraging words regarding the virus , charity work donating to people affected by the pandemic , naaaaathing just hot girl summer,” she said coupled with many laughing emojis.

@Stha_Tomose also commented: “I’m sure somewhere somehow, Miss SA does have her duties. I’m not against the half-naked pics, but I would love to see her doing Miss SA duties, if there are any.”

Some came to her defence and said with the level 3 regulations shutting down events, she probably cannot raise her voice higher. When she scooped the crown Shudu said she will focus more on mental health during her reign. The beauty queen said she will continue to create awareness on important social issues such as mental health as she believes it is a major problem in the country.
“During a time like this with Covid-19, Black Lives Matter and Gender Based Violence when there is a lack of compassion we tend to lose a sense of the reality around us and I think every single person deserves a bit of kindness, helping one person can cause a ripple effect, you might be helping one but you might be helping out the entire nation because you do not know what that person will go out to do, so that is the message I could South Africa, to remember the collective responsinbilty to be kind a commitment to rebuilding our society and always practicing compasssion.”

“For me personally mental health is something that is not really spoken about, it is cosidered a taboo that is often engaged with not to rehabilitate but to shame, so I’m actually bringing that conersation forward its time our society needs help and to stand together to confront this and tackle it,” she explains.

Predicting the Miss SA is very difficult this year.

The look for Miss South Africa 2020 is on.

With applications now open and campaigns underway, the annual pageant is taking a replacement shape online within the amid uncertainty from the Covid-19 pandemic and a national lockdown.

According to Stephanie Weil, chief executive of the Miss South Africa Organisation, the choice to travel digital was spurred by a positive past experience.

“We made the choice in 2019 to place the entry process online to form it as easy as possible for would-be contestants, as there have been no forms to download and no regional auditions to which hopefuls had to travel,” Weil explained.

“This allowed us to succeed in as many young women throughout South Africa as possible and provides candidates from any region of the country the chance to require part. it had been hugely successful, with quality candidates and that we received a record number of entries.”

Applications for the pageant opened on Monday and can close on May 31. Applicants must complete a web form and submit photographs of themselves. Applicants must also post a brief introductory video on their social media channels and supply a link on their application.

A judging panel will then undergo the entries and narrow the list right down to semi-finalists. Unlike previous years where the semi-finalists travelled to Johannesburg for the judging sessions, this year the session are going to be conducted online.

“By doing tons of meet and greets online Miss South Africa are going to be ready to reach – and encourage – even more young women across the country,” Weil said. “Our main goal is to form Miss South Africa attainable and thru online interaction this may make it easier instead of harder. i feel this year people are going to be engaging with and taking note of the girl who eventually holds the title of Miss South Africa 2020 quite ever.”

In addition, Weil announced announced that the corporate would be launching the Miss South Africa Foundation, with details on the new venture to be made public closer to the pageant in August.

Weil’s company Weil Entertainment acquired the Miss SA license from Sun International in 2019. Despite staying involved as a sponsor with the event traditionally held at Sun City, there are still questions regarding a physical event being held this year. Said Sun International during a statement: “As an associate sponsor of the Miss South Africa Pageant, Sun International continues to figure with pageant owner Weil Entertainment. thanks to the uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing requirements, we are considering several possible scenarios for hosting the ultimate event in August. we will assure South Africans that the 2020 contest will still be relevant, inclusive and exciting to observe .”

South Africa may be a global player within the world of beauty pageants. The reigning Miss Universe title holder, Zozibini Tunzi, was crowned Miss South Africa in 2019, while Miss South Africa 2017, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, went on to be crowned Miss Universe an equivalent year, the primary South African to require the title since Margaret Gardiner in 1978.

In January, it had been announced that Sasha-Lee Olivier, first runner up in Miss South Africa 2019, had been passed the title by Tunzi following Tunzi’s crowning as Miss Universe in December last year.

On Tuesday, Olivier made an appearance with Gauteng Health Department officials at the Sebokeng Zone 17 clinic to celebrate International Nurses Day. Olivier’s campaign, called #itsnotyourfault, is aimed toward raising awareness for victims of sexual abuse . “Miss South Africa is consistently changing to stay relevant in today’s world,” Weil said.

“No longer is Miss South Africa just a once-off event but rather a year-round business, and a brand that gives both a number one voice for women’s rights and a platform to effect social change. We are committed to helping entrants fulfil their inherent potential instead of merely glossing up their external façade.”