Cape Town marketing manager makes history as the first differently-abled titleholder
Celebrating national women’s month: Le Roux’s victory highlights inclusivity and resilience
The finale was held after Chidimma Adetshina withdrew from the competition when her nationality was falsely brought into question
Staff Reporter
In a dazzling finale at the 66th Miss South Africa pageant, Capetonian Mia le Roux was crowned Miss South Africa 2024 at the SunBet Arena in Time Square, Pretoria, on Saturday 10 August.
Le Roux, 28, stands out not only as the pageant’s first differently-abled winner, but also as a beacon of inclusivity and resilience.
Her achievement was celebrated with a prestigious prize package, including R1 million in cash, a year’s stay at the luxurious Brookfield at Royal, and a Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé.
According to a statement from Miss South Africa, Le Roux expressed profound gratitude and commitment to her new role.
“With a humble and grateful heart, I accept the incredible responsibility of being your Miss South Africa 2024,” she stated.
Her acceptance speech highlighted her journey from receiving a cochlear implant as a child, to becoming a symbol of hope and perseverance.
However, the pageant’s celebrations were overshadowed by a significant controversy involving former contestant Chidimma Adetshina. The 23-year-old law student and Miss South Africa contestant withdrew from the competition amid a dispute, fuelled by Sports, Arts and Culture minister Gayton McKenzie.
Adetshina’s departure followed a preliminary investigation by the Department of Home Affairs, which uncovered allegations of “identity theft” by her mother to secure South African nationality. The department’s findings, reported by the BBC, suggested that while Adetshina could not have been involved in her mother’s alleged actions, the controversy had escalated, prompting further scrutiny.
In an Instagram post, Adetshina cited concerns for her and her family’s safety as reasons for her withdrawal, expressing gratitude for the support she received and extending best wishes to the remaining contestants.
“Whoever wears the crown represents us all,” she said.
Le Roux’s victory, coinciding with National Women’s Month on 9 August, represents a step forward for the pageant, celebrating diversity and offering a platform for those who, like her, have faced significant challenges.
In her official Instagram post, Mia le Roux stated: “What an unbelievable feeling. I have so much gratitude in my heart for each one of you who has supported me and rallied behind me. Last night we created a new generation of believers. Every little girl out there who has felt different because they are not what society expects them to be will realise they are so wildly capable, just like I am.”
Stephanie Weil, CEO of the Miss South Africa Organisation, praised Le Roux for embodying the organisation’s core values of duty, empowerment, and beauty.
The event, which was broadcast live on S3 and streamed internationally, featured performances by Jesse Clegg and Kamo Mphela, and was hosted by Bonang Matheba.
Celebrating Women’s Month, the pageant was produced by an all-female team, including Executive Producer Relebogile Mabotja and Technical Director Nadia White.