Making game changer moves, Free State born, Mia Le Roux was crowned the first differently-abled Miss SA 2024 on Saturday, at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria.
The 28-year-old, BCom Marketing student at Unisa, whose mission statement boldly echoed inclusivity and mass representation of marginalised groups, namely the disabled community, was over the moon, expressing her gratitude and support from family and South Africans.
“With a humble and grateful heart, I accept the incredible responsibility of being your Miss South Africa 2024. It is an honour that fills me with immense pride and gratitude, and I am deeply touched by the trust and confidence that South Africa has placed in me,” said Le Roux.
Being the face of the deaf community for Miss SA’s 66th pageant, Le Roux was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one. However, with a strong support system, she was given the gift of hearing, when she received a cochlear implant when she was two years old.
Le Roux emphasised her reign will serve as an inspiration to differently-abled younger girls in the country, as the Miss SA organisation broke pageantry beauty standards, by being inclusive and diverse of its contestants.
“As a little girl, I never would have thought that someone like me could become Miss SA. It is extremely powerful what this could mean to other little girls - that even if you have something that makes you different, you still can achieve your dreams with determination and hard work.
“Today, it is my turn to be your community, to be a voice for those who, like me, have experienced the challenges of being different and feeling excluded. I am here to serve as your representative, to champion the causes that matter to South Africans and to create a space where everyone can shine in their unique, beautiful way,” said Le Roux.
With Miss SA stretching its inclusivity net, this year the pageant included single mothers, Layla Zoubair who made it in the top five, and Chidimma Adetshina, who recently withdrew from the competition following insidious revelations about her citizenry.
An entourage of political parties, the ANC and EFF, congratulated Le Roux, including Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.
“Congratulations to our South African queen, Mia Le Roux. I know you will represent us well at Miss Universe,” said McKenzie.
ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, joined the bandwagon. “Congratulations to Le Roux for being crowned Miss SA. May the objectives you have set out for yourself during your reign come to reality. Represent brand South Africa well to the rest of the world,” said Mbalula.
Starting her reign, Le Roux pledged her commitment to foster an inclusive society of marginalised groups, where “no one is left behind”, by partnering with the government and stakeholders in the private sector.
“I am committed to using this opportunity to address the issues that affect our communities by working with the government, corporate South Africa and anyone who is able and willing to play their part.
“South Africans face many challenges, from financial exclusion and lack of access to resources, to the struggles faced by those who are differently-abled. These are not just issues; they are opportunities for us all to come together and build a more inclusive and supportive society,” she said.
With strong contenders vying for the crown, from Soweto, Nompumelelo Maduna was the 1st runner-up, followed by Onalenna Constantin from Potchefstroom, in the North West, who was 2nd.
The Star