Written by: Ilse Strauss
Article source: www.bridgesforpeace.com
The South African government recently turned its back on reigning Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane, dissociating itself from her decision to take part in the annual Miss Universe contest in Eilat, Israel on December 12.
Mswane’s participation goes directly against her government’s wishes that she boycott the pageant over what South African officials called “the atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians.”
The government took Mswane’s failure to dance to its tune so seriously that the Department of Arts, Culture and Sports released an official statement to announce that the government had removed its backing, and as a result, also that of her country.
“It has proven difficult to persuade the Miss SA pageant organizers to reconsider their decision to partake in the Miss Universe event,” the statement read, referencing the so-called “well documented” evils perpetrated by Israel against the hapless Palestinians.
“As the legitimate representative of the people of South Africa,” the statement continued, the government “cannot in good conscience associate itself with such.” Moreover, as a result of the supposed “intransigence”—or rather, Mswane and the organizers’ failure to bend to the will of the powers that be—the government “withdraws its support.”
The “intransigent” organizers shared their side of the story with South African radio station 702. According to Miss SA CEO Stephanie Weil, “The issue at hand is whether she wants to go or not and it’s a decision not taken lightly, it was after much consultation with both her and myself and the Miss Universe organization talking about whether she wants to go or not and the truth is she does want to go and represent her country.”
“Miss South Africa and Miss Universe are around the empowerment of women and women coming together to bring about change by using their voices,” Weil said.
South Africa’s ruling ANC [African National Congress] party also issued a statement echoing the government and calling on the organizers “to hear and listen to the overwhelming call for the Miss South Africa team to boycott the upcoming apartheid Israel hosted Miss Universe.”
Overwhelming support for Mswane has however streamed in via social media. “With or without government she has our support,” “Go fly the SA flag high under all the circumstances” and “There are enough South Africans that support her. Well done for standing your ground. May you do us proud!” are but some of the comments applauding the young beauty queen’s choice.
The bottom line seems to be this: if Mswane goes to Eilat on December 12, she does so without the support of her government but not without the support of her people.
The 70th annual Miss Universe pageant will be a glitzy event in Israel’s southern-most tip on the Red Sea, the resort city of Eilat, bringing together 90 participants from five continents. It is the first to be hosted in the Jewish state and the first such pageant taking place in the Middle East since 2000.
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Date published: 18/11/2021
Feature image: Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane/www.instagram.com
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Well done Mswane, for having the courage to stand up for your beliefs. Our ANC government has sadly bought the “Palestinian Lie”, which is total nonsense and is based on raw antisemitism, not on facts.
Go for it Mswane! And may the one true God of Israel and Christians, world wide, be with you and keep you safe in His loving arms. 🙏👍
I CANNOT BE MORE PROUD OF MISS MSWANE… YOU ARE A STRONG WOMAN AND YES RIGHTLY SAID YOU GO WITH THE BLESSING OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN PEOPLE… WE STAND BEHIND YOU GO AND MAKE US PROUD
So proud of you. Go and do as God guides you. He goes with you.
So many girls dream of becoming Miss South Africa one day and possibly Miss World or Miss Universe and to represent herself, her country and to stand up for woman everywhere. In this modern day and age we still have forced female circumsition in some countries. And for her government to want her to step down because of their issues is disgusting. Since when is Miss Universe a political platform and tool? You go girl, we support you.
Lalela Mswane we are proud of you. You have clearly shown why you represent the people of South Africa. Your integrity is indeed ample proof of your inner beauty which radiates outwardly. We bless you and will continue to pray for you as you embark on your journey. Beautiful Lalela Mswane, know this, you were born to stand out not fit in. We need more women and young people with your diligence and determination to lead our ailing country.
Be eternally blessed beautiful woman of African soil.
It is sad that the governing party(Any National Criminal) do not deal in truth but fake news and looting. I’m still waiting on president Ramaphosa and the ANC to pronounce that Jacob Zuma is a criminal for not heeding our highest democratic court in the country and thus having to go to jail. When God opens doors, not even the ANC will shut them and their arrogance beggars belief when Zuma again proclaimed before the election that the ANC will rule till Jesus returns. For South Africa it would be fair to say that Jesus is returning with them losing so many of the major cities in the recent elections. Long may the citizens of this great country (SA) be reminded that Jesus is in control and the ONLY 1 that saves people and countries. God bless to all that support Jesus and ms Mswane.
Bravo for our incredible Miss. South Africa, a beautiful and dignified lady with integrity who stands by her principles and knowledge of what is right and just! I applaud her and may she have every success and a wonderful trip to amazing Israel, the country that has been vilified unjustly and unfairly. Our South African Government clearly do not know their facts about the State of Israel nor about the militant agenda of the BDS campaign that uses lies and propaganda to further their diabolical plans. The BDS supporters are also sadly ignorant of truth. There is absolutely no apartheid in the State of Israel and, to the contrary, this wonderful country that does so much good to so many others, is doing a lot of good to their compatriots and neighbours, the news of which is not reported on our (in my view) partisan news reports. Miss South Africa, our wonderful God and Saviour Lord Jesus will also applaud your stand and bless you abundantly! God bless!
Miss South Africa! Well done! Stand your ground with integrity and faith in Jesus our Redeemer. Our prayers are with you. Remember, God loves you and bestowed talents on you for a specific purpose. Be the voice for the voiceless women all over the world who suffer at the hands of certain criminal and godless men. However, in your speech on stage, do praise all decent men who are good husbands, fathers and wise leaders in their communities who protect and provide for their families. You are a winner! Go for it with confidence. God speed. South Africa loves you! Gina, Johannesburg.
We stand with you Lalela. You are a brave lady and that is exactly what South Africa needs at the moment. We all know that you will make us proud.