The Miss South Africa Organisation is yet to respond to government’s decision to withdraw its support for reigning queen, Lalela Mswane, should she compete in the Miss Universe pageant - which is to be staged in Israel on 13 December.
However, the organisers have instead confirmed that Miss SA 2020, Shudufhadzo Musida, will represent the country at Miss World in Puerto Rico on 16 December.
The pageant posted on Instagram: “A new journey begins for our @missworld South Africa, @shudufhadzomusida, as she heads to Puerto Rico,” with a video of the 25-year-old taking her final walk as reigning Miss SA at the Grand Arena in Cape Town on 16 October.
A new journey begins for our @MissWorldLtd South Africa, @abigailmusida as she heads to Puerto Rico!
— Miss South Africa (@Official_MissSA) November 16, 2021
1 MONTH TO GO! ✨🤩#missworld #missworld2021 #shuduformissworld #beautywithapurpose#shudufhadzomusida #misssouthafrica pic.twitter.com/WJrAFDk3oa
The post comes after the Miss SA organisation was blasted by government and the public for its insistence on participating in the pageant in Israel - which has been labelled an “apartheid” state for human rights abuses against Palestinians.
On Sunday, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa said: “The atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians are well documented and government, as the legitimate representative of the people of South Africa, cannot in good conscience associate itself with such.”
After “unpleasant” discussions with the Miss SA management, he said: “This has regrettably been unsuccessful, hence the decision now to publicly distance Government and the people of South Africa from Miss SA pageant organiser’s stance on this matter.”
Last week, Miss SA CEO Stephanie Weil said they were thrilled to be able to make the 24-year-old Lalela’s childhood dream – to wear the crown while representing her country globally – come true.
Weil said Lalela has spoken out openly about being bullied as a child: “She will not be bullied as an adult against fulfilling her ambition.”
She added that a “very, very small, but extremely vocal, group” had attempted and failed to derail Lalela’s chances at the international pageant.
Lalela has yet to issue a statement on the matter.