Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane To Compete At Miss Universe Pageant Without Government Support. The plot surrounding the Miss South Africa organization and the Miss Universe pageant is getting thicker and it appears that the South African government wants no part of it. It was previously reported that the Palestine Solidarity Alliance pleaded with the Miss South Africa platform to withdraw from the upcoming Miss Universe pageant due to the ongoing Palestinian protests against the Israeli apartheid government.
The Miss South Africa organization responded to the outcry claiming it has no association to politics nor is it interested in a political war of words but are rather looking forward to watching Miss SA make the country proud on an international stage.
The Department of Arts, Culture and Sports has now released a statement saying the government had withdrawn its support for Lalela to compete in the Miss Universe competition set to take place in Israel this coming December. Various organizations including the PSA have reached out to various countries to boycott the annual international pageant due to over the Israel/Palestine protests, where many lives have been lost.
The South African government has released a statement saying with regards of South Africa’s oppression and apartheid history, they feel it is important to show solidarity to the Palestinians as they did when the roles were reversed. Miss SA CEO Stephanie Weil confirmed to the media that the issue was not taken lightly however, Lalela is adamant to go to Israel and represent the country.
“The issue at hand is whether she wants to go or not and its a decision not taken lightly, it was after much consultation with both her and myself and the Miss Universe organisation talking about whether she wants to go or not and the truth is she does want to go and represent her country.” Weil said.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa told the media that he understands Mswane’s individual interests, he does fear that her participation in a once off event will taint her future and public standing for young women and world peace.
“If anything, by withdrawing, Miss South Africa’s reputation and overall standing will be far more advanced in South Africa and internationally in comparison to a once-off event that can prove disastrous to her future and public standing as a young, black woman,” Mthethwa said.
The media has been reporting over the Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and communities inside Israel protesting Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip and the evictions of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah. This has resulted in the loss of many lives as Palestinians have tried to escape the terror.
