Publications
- Reigning Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane, will represent the country at the 13th edition of Miss Supranational which is set to be held in Poland in July 2022.
- Lalela competed at Miss Universe in December 2021 held in Israel and placed third, despite a public outcry for the country to boycott the pageant.
- It is still unclear which international pageants the 2021 runners-up, Moratwe Masima and Zimi Mabunzi will compete in.
On Tuesday, the Miss South Africa Organisation announced that reigning Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane, would compete at Miss Supranational 2022, set to be held in Poland in July.
Last year, South Africa's Thato Mosehle was crowned second runner-up at Miss Supranational 2021, which ultimately saw Namibia's Chanique Rabe walk away with the coveted title.
ALSO READ | Namibia's Chanique Rabe on being Africa's first Miss Supranational titleholder: 'I feel the love'
Lalela was crowned Miss South Africa last year October in Cape Town. She went on to participate at the 70th Miss Universe pageant held in December 2021, where she emerged as the second runner-up.
The announcement surprised many, who expected one of the Miss South Africa 2021 runners-up (Moratwe Masima, Zimi Mabunzi) to compete at the international pageant.
In October, speaking at a press conference following the coronation night, Miss South Africa CEO Stepanie Weil said that the top three would represent South Africa at the world's three most prestigious pageants - Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss Supranational.
Stephanie said: "The organisation in the last few years has really focused on changing things up. For me, it's not really about placements. Ten are incredibly empowered young women. Three get to represent us internationally. And one wears the crown. But the other two deserve the same journey without placement - making them higher or lower than the other.
Now, in a press statement on Tuesday, Stephanie cleared up confusion about the sudden change, saying: "Covid has forced many events to be postponed, and this has caused confusion around the different competitions and when they are set to be held. It is also not uncommon for the same representative to attend more than one international competition during their year of reign should the international pageant's dates and timeline allow for it."
Other former Miss South Africas who represented South Africa at more than one international pageant include Joanne Strauss, Megan Coleman, Tansey Coetzee, Bokang Montjane, Marilyn Ramos most recently Ntandoyenkosi Kunene.
Another international competition scheduled for this year is Miss World 2021, which was postponed in December last year due to Covid-19 infections and restrictions.
Miss South Africa 2020 Shudufhadzo Musida has been fast-tracked to the top 40 at the 70th Miss World competition set to be held on 16 March, 2022 at the Coca Cola Music Hall in San Juan, Puerto Rico.Broadcast
Details for both competitions will be made available in the near future.
