Mia le Roux made history by becoming the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss South Africa, following a contentious competition marked by controversy.

The pageant was marred by the withdrawal of a finalist who faced online harassment and bullying over her Nigerian roots, highlighting deeper issues of inclusivity and acceptance.

Nigerian-born Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina announced her withdrawal from the competition on Thursday, citing safety and the well-being of herself and that of her family members.

Born in Soweto, South Africa to a Nigerian father and a mother who is of Mozambican descent, Chidimma’s participation in the competition and her rise to become a finalist in the competition was a subject of controversy as many South Africans objected to her participation in the competition, citing that she is not truly a South African.

Social media attacks targeted her Nigerian heritage despite her being born in South Africa and meeting all competition requirements.

Chidimma’s withdrawal from the competition came in a statement she personally signed and posted on her Instagram page amid the continued controversies surrounding her nationality ignited by the South African authorities, despite organisers’ certification of her qualification.

In the statement seen by SaharaReporters, Chidimma said, “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.

“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.

“With the support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience.” 

In her acceptance speech, Ms. Le Roux expressed her desire to inspire those who feel marginalised or excluded from society. She emphasised her commitment to supporting individuals who face financial barriers or have disabilities, aiming to uplift and amplify their voices.

At just one year old, Ms. Le Roux was diagnosed with profound hearing loss, and later received a cochlear implant to assist with sound perception. 

Through determination and hard work, she overcame significant communication barriers, requiring two years of speech therapy to utter her first words. Now, as a triumphant 28-year-old model and marketing manager, she proudly asserts her identity, saying she is proudly a South African deaf woman who knows “what it feels like to be excluded”.

Source: Sahara Reporters
--Agencies