‘Fake news’: Lalela Mswane has not withdrawn from Miss Universe

The Miss SA organisation has spoken out after “fake news” was spread about Miss SA Lalela Mswane dropping out of the Miss Universe pageant via a statement today (9 November). 

LALELA MSWANE DID NOT DROP OUT OF MISS UNIVERSE

There has been an ongoing discussion on whether Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane should drop out of the Miss Universe pageant this year. This was after Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela called on the Miss SA organisation to boycott the pageant — because of the “occupation and the cruel treatment of Palestinians at the hands of the apartheid Israel regime.” 

Since then there has been “fake news” that Lalela had dropped out of the pageant. However, the Miss South Africa organisation slammed these reports labelling them “unfounded and untrue.”

“Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane, will represent South Africa at the Miss Universe competition, held this year in the picturesque Israeli resort town, Eilat, on December 13. This is contrary to any indication otherwise,” said the Miss SA organisation in a statement. 

Miss SA Organisation CEO Stephanie Weil revealed that she was aware of the statements claiming Lalela pulled out of the pageant. 

“These were completely unfounded and untrue,” continued the statement. 

ALSO READ: Meet our new Miss South Africa! Five things to know about Lalela Mswane

MISS SA: ‘SHE WILL NOT BE BULLIED AS AN ADULT’

The statement added that the Miss SA organisation was thrilled to make Lalela’s childhood dream of representing her country globally come true. The organisation added that the 24-year-old has spoken up about being bullied as a child. Therefore, she will not be bullied as an adult. 

“Mswane has spoken out openly about being bullied as a child. She will not be bullied as an adult against fulfilling her ambition,” according to the statement. 

Lalela was then compared to former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi. 

“South Africa was placed very firmly in the 21st century when Zozinibi Tunzi, proudly wearing her natural hair without trying to conceal it under a weave or a wig, was crowned Miss Universe,” the statement continued. 

“Her refusal to bow down to pressure to look a certain way was groundbreaking, and opened the door to diversity and the rise of the individual as opposed to look-alikes. Like her, Lalela will be a role model to young women – not just across the country, but across the African continent,” the statement added. 

MISS SA IS ‘NOT A POLITICAL ORGANISATION’

The organisation affirmed that they are not a political organisation. 

“Anyone who wants to rob Lalela of her moment in the spotlight is unkind and short-sighted. She is the shining beacon for young women everywhere, showing them that being beautiful while being clever and educated is very possible. We are not a political organisation and The Miss Universe pageant is not a politically inspired event,” the statement ended. 

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