After a controversial Miss South Africa beauty pageant, 28-year-old Mia Le Roux, a deaf woman, was crowned the winner. During her acceptance speech, she expressed hope that her victory would inspire those who feel marginalized to pursue their dreams.
Le Roux also emphasized her commitment to supporting individuals who are “financially excluded or differently abled.”
Diagnosed with profound hearing loss at just a year old, Le Roux has a cochlear implant that helps her hear. It took her two years of speech therapy and constant practice before she could say her first words, as reported by the BBC.
“I am a proudly South African deaf woman”
In her interview with the BBC, she stated, “I am a proudly South African deaf woman, and I know what it feels like to be excluded. I now realize that my purpose on this planet is to break boundaries, and tonight I did just that.”
Le Roux was crowned after 23-year-old finalist Chidimma Adetshina withdrew due to criticism related to her Nigerian heritage and questions about her mother’s identity. Although Adetshina was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a South African mother, her family hailed from Mozambique, an East African country.
View this post on Instagram
Who is Mia Le Roux?
Adetshina became the center of social media debates, with many, including a cabinet minister, questioning her eligibility to represent the nation. She described the criticism as “black-on-black hate,” highlighting a form of xenophobia in South Africa known as “afrophobia,” which targets individuals from other African countries.
Before leaving the competition, Chidimma Adetshina, posted on Instagram, “I would like to start off by thanking everyone who has stood beside me right from the start of my Miss South Africa journey. I’m really grateful for all the love and support I have been shown.”
She further added, “Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey however, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I.”
Roux added, “With the support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience. I would like to take this opportunity to wish my fellow finalists all of the best for the remainder of the competition. Whoever wears the crown represents us all.”
