Mia Le Roux Wins Miss South Africa 2024

Mia Le Roux has made headlines after being crowned the winner of the 2024 Miss South Africa Beauty Pageant. The 28-year-old model, who hails from Free State, snatched the crown during a vibrant ceremony held at the Sun Bet Arena in Pretoria this past Saturday.

What’s really special about her win is that Mia is the first deaf woman to ever hold the Miss South Africa title. She emerged victorious against nine other contestants in a competition that stirred some controversy, particularly when one finalist, Chidimma Adetshina, withdrew following backlash related to her Nigerian background.

In her uplifting acceptance speech, Mia shared her hopes that her victory would inspire those who feel marginalized in society. She expressed a wish to support people who are financially disadvantaged or differently abled, showing her commitment to advocating for inclusivity.

Just a week prior to Mia’s win, 23-year-old law student Chidimma had exited the contest following claims that her mother possibly committed identity fraud. Chidimma, born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a mother of Mozambican descent, faced significant scrutiny and ultimately stepped away from the competition.

Chidimma discussed her experiences in a media interview, where she spoke out against the ‘black-on-black hate’ she faced, highlighting issues of xenophobia in South Africa. In contrast, Mia’s background includes overcoming profound hearing loss diagnosed when she was just one year old, demonstrating her resilience and determination.

After winning, Mia expressed, «I am a proudly South African deaf woman and I know what it feels like to be excluded. I know now that I was put on this planet to break boundaries and I did it tonight.» It’s clear her message of hope and empowerment is resonating widely.