Mia le Roux’s recent crowning as Miss South Africa has sparked mixed reactions from both Nigerians and South Africans, as her groundbreaking win as the first deaf woman to hold the title is overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the competition. The divisive atmosphere arose after Chidimma Adetshina, a law student with Nigerian heritage, withdrew from the contest amid allegations and xenophobic backlash.
Le Roux, a 28-year-old model and marketing manager, was recognised for her perseverance and determination, having overcome profound hearing loss diagnosed at just one year old, and now uses a cochlear implant to help her perceive sound.
In her acceptance speech, she expressed hope that her victory would inspire those who feel marginalised to pursue their “wildest dreams” and emphasised her commitment to supporting those who are “financially excluded or differently abled.”
“I am a proudly South African deaf woman, and I know what it feels like to be excluded,” Le Roux said. “I know now that I was put on this planet to break boundaries, and I did it tonight.”
However, the joy of Le Roux’s historic win is clouded by the controversy that unfolded before the final. Just a week before the pageant’s conclusion, Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old contestant born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, withdrew from the competition. Her decision followed a social media storm that questioned her right to represent South Africa, with accusations against her mother of possibly stealing the identity of a South African woman further fueling the debate.
Adetshina decried the hostility she faced, labeling it as “black-on-black hate” and pointing to a specific form of xenophobia in South Africa known as “afrophobia,” which targets people from other African nations. The backlash included criticism from a cabinet minister, adding to the mounting pressure on Adetshina.
The outcome of the pageant has since ignited a firestorm on social media. Nigerian superstar Burna Boy posted a picture of Le Roux with the caption, “So after all that…” accompanied by laughing emojis, hinting at the irony of the situation. Another user drew a stark comparison between Le Roux and Adetshina, highlighting the contrast in how each was received: “Mia Le Roux AKA JC Le Roux, Miss SA: parents from French descent. Loved by South Africans. Chidimma: Born in South Africa from a Nigerian father. Xenophobic South Africans hate her, they say she is not South African. Xenophobic South Africans are an embarrassment to our country.”
Others expressed disillusionment, with one X user posting a photo of Nelson Mandela and writing, “27 wasted years.” Another comment criticised the perceived racial bias in the competition: “South Africans have chosen their Miss South Africa 2024. They victimised Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina to crown Mia Le Roux. The last frame is how they worship the white.”
Despite the criticism, there has been strong support for Le Roux from many South Africans. One user defended her victory, stating, “Nigerians need to understand that their opinions about what happens in SA are meaningless. They should rather focus on their misgoverned country, poor sportsmanship, and how they are scattered all over the world. Mia Le Roux is our Miss SA, and there’s nothing they can do about it.”
As the debate rages on, Le Roux’s win remains a significant milestone in South Africa’s history, symbolising both progress and the ongoing challenges of inclusivity and national identity.
Melissa Enoch
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