Miss South Africa 2021, Lalela Mswane once again put Mzansi on the map after reigning supreme at the Miss Supranational pageant in Poland on Friday, 15 July. Beating sixty-nine contestants and making history, Lalela became the first woman of colour to win the prestigious pageant and adorn the Ricardo crown. The 24-year-old beauty queen clinched the coveted title after a three-hour finale event that took place at the Strzelecki Park Amphitheatre in Nowy Sącz, Poland. Miss Thailand, Miss Venezuela, Miss Vietnam, and Miss Indonesia were all runner-ups in the competition.
Lalela expressed joy and gratitude following her historic crowning at the Miss Supranational 2022 pageant. Mswane on Friday night said she was “overwhelmed” by the victory, saying “at this moment it still feels surreal”.
“I am deeply thankful to all the amazing people who have supported and uplifted me, I couldn’t have done it without them. I want to thank the organisers of Miss Supranational, the Polish people, all my fellow contestants, the Miss South Africa organisation, and my South African fans. This title is not mine alone, it is South Africa’s victory,” said Lalela.
Making history, Lalela broke a record previously held by Thato Mosehle, who last year became the first woman of colour to represent South Africa at the prestigious pageant, the first to do so under the official Miss South Africa banner, and the first to make it into pageant’s Top 3.
Miss South Africa’s CEO Stephanie Weil has expressed that the organisation is incredibly proud of Lalela and believes that she deserved this win.
