In a historic first, 28-year-old Mia Le Roux, who is deaf, was crowned Miss South Africa, marking a significant moment in the pageant’s history. Diagnosed with profound hearing loss at age one, Le Roux expressed hope that her victory would inspire others who feel excluded to pursue their “wildest dreams” and support those who are “financially excluded or differently abled.”
The controversy
Le Roux’s win came after a controversy involving fellow finalist Chidimma Adetshina, 23, who withdrew from the competition following criticism over her Nigerian origin and her mother’s identity. Adetshina, born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and South African mother, faced xenophobic backlash, including comments from South Africa’s Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, who questioned her eligibility to compete in Miss South Africa.
Adetshina described the situation as “black-on-black hate,” highlighting the issue of “Afrophobia” in South Africa, where discrimination is often directed at other Africans. Despite other contestants with South Asian and European names, Adetshina was the primary target of criticism.
The controversy escalated when South Africa’s Home Affairs Ministry launched an investigation into Adetshina’s citizenship at the request of the Miss South Africa organization. The investigation suggested possible fraud and identity theft involving Adetshina’s mother, further complicating the situation. On August 8, Adetshina announced her withdrawal from the pageant, citing concerns for her family’s safety.
On August 8, the 23-year-old took to Instagram to announce her decision to withdraw from the competition. “After much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and I. With the full support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience,” she wrote.
More about Le Roux
Le Roux, who uses a cochlear implant and underwent two years of speech therapy before speaking her first words, expressed pride in her identity as a South African deaf woman. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “I know now that I was put on this planet to break boundaries, and I did it tonight.”