Miss South Africa: ANC backs g

Miss SA 2021 Top 5 Bianca Bezuidenhout, Lalela Mswane, Moratwe Masima, Zimi Mabunzi and Jeanni Mulder answer at the Miss South Africa 2021 Beauty Pageant at Grand West Casino on 16 October 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo: Gallo Images/ER Lombard

Miss South Africa: ANC backs government’s decision to withdraw support

The ANC says it remembers when black South Africans weren’t allowed to participate in events under the Miss South Africa title

Miss South Africa: ANC backs g

Miss SA 2021 Top 5 Bianca Bezuidenhout, Lalela Mswane, Moratwe Masima, Zimi Mabunzi and Jeanni Mulder answer at the Miss South Africa 2021 Beauty Pageant at Grand West Casino on 16 October 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo: Gallo Images/ER Lombard

The African National Congress (ANC) says it welcomes the decision by government to no longer support the Miss South Africa pageant, citing plans to still continue taking part in the Miss Universe competition in Israel.

Both pageant organizers and government held talks over possibly boycotting the ceremony – but they failed to find common ground, prompting government to rescind its backing completely.

“The ANC continues to call upon Nine-squared, which owns the Miss South Africa organisation, to hear and listen to the overwhelming call for the Miss South Africa team to boycott the upcoming Apartheid Israel hosted Miss Universe. The racism, human rights violations, illegal settlements, ongoing unlawful occupation and the Apartheid laws of Israel are well documented and should be compelling enough for your withdrawal,” said ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe.

ANC: Miss Universe boycott ‘important and necessary’

The ANC says it remembers when black South Africans were not allowed to participate in competitions including under the Miss South Africa title, but had had to participate in Miss World pageants under the title “Miss Africa South”.

“This horrible history of racism of the Miss SA “trademark” makes the boycott of this Miss Universe even more important and necessary. The ANC remembers with gratitude how 9 contestants boycotted the 1976 Miss World pageant in protest against Miss SA’s participation and against the South African Apartheid regime. These contestants, their countries and their organisations made sacrifices for our freedom. There is indeed a precedent for boycotts for moral, personal and other reasons by participants of the Miss Universe pageant”

ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe

Meanwhile the South African government says it remains open to holding engagements with the pageant organisers over the matter.