Nigerians React After 28-Year-Old White South African Wins Miss SA 2024

Nigerians have expressed diverse reactions after Mia Le Roux, a 28-year-old white South African of European descent, was crowned Miss South Africa 2024. The victory of Le Roux, who hails from the Dutch settler lineage, has sparked a variety of opinions across social media platforms.

Who is Mia Le Roux?

Mia Le Roux, a marketing manager, model, and part-time BCom marketing student, was born in Sasolburg in the Free State and raised in Oudtshoorn. Diagnosed with profound hearing loss at just one year old, Le Roux’s journey to the crown has been nothing short of inspirational. She currently resides in Rosebank, Cape Town.

Miss SA 2024 Victory and Prizes

Le Roux’s victory at the Miss SA 2024 pageant, held at SunBet Arena at Times Square in Pretoria on Saturday, August 10, was rewarded with a cash prize of R1 million and a brand-new Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe. The event was a glamorous affair, attended by dignitaries and celebrities alike.

Controversy Surrounding Chidinma Adetshina

The pageant had been under intense scrutiny following the withdrawal of Chidinma Adetshina, a South Africa-born contestant of Nigerian and Mozambican descent. Adetshina had been embroiled in a nationality controversy, with some South Africans, including government officials, questioning her citizenship status.

The national Department of Home Affairs revealed that they had found evidence suggesting Adetshina’s mother had committed identity fraud, leading to her withdrawal from the competition.

Social Media Reactions

Following Le Roux’s victory, Nigerians and South Africans took to social media to express their thoughts. Comments ranged from humorous to critical, reflecting the complex racial and national identity issues in South Africa.

Prominent social media personality Omojuwa commented, “A true South African, in name, image, and identity. Congratulations to Mia Leroux. A fitting end to an extraordinary competition.”

Another user, Tomi, remarked sarcastically, “Congratulations to her. Now when I think about the epitome of beauty among South African women, I will think about a white woman.”

A South African national lamented, “A black African girl hounded out of a competition only for it to be won by a European. The jokes write themselves.”

An X user shared a photo of Nelson Mandela with the caption, “27 wasted years,” indicating a sense of disappointment in the outcome of the competition.