Miss SA explains why Lalela Mswane is going to Miss Supranational and not the runners-up

It was recently announced that Miss SA Lalela Mswane will be heading to Poland to take part in the Miss Supranational pageant. 

But the announcement was met with confusion and anger by some. Lalela - who is South Africa's reigning beauty queen - took part in the Miss Universe pageant in Israel in December. 

Many thought runners-up Zimi Mabunzi or Moratwe Masima would be selected for the Miss Supranational pageant. 

In recent years, each woman in the top three would get a chance to represent the country at either Miss Universe, Miss World or Miss Supranational. 

But due to COVID-19, some pageants have taken place later than expected, which has resulted in past winners taking part in pageants after their reigns have ended. Miss SA 2020 Shudufhadzo Musida took part in the Miss World pageant in December 2021 after several postponements. 

The pageant was once again postponed hours before the final ceremony due to COVID-19 fears. The ceremony is set to resume in Puerto Rico in March.  

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Lalela's participation in both the Miss Universe and Miss Supranational pageant means the runners-up won't get a chance at an international competition.

"Why couldn't Lalela speak up for the other ladies. She's selfish. Wasn't Miss Universe enough. Aiy," one Twitter user wrote.

But many Twitters came to Lalela's defence. "We have one Miss SA, Lalela Mswane. She is the SA representative in ALL the international pageants. Unless or otherwise..." one tweep noted. 

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Miss SA officials have explained why Lalela will be going to Miss Supranational and not one of the runners-up.

"Covid has forced many events to be postponed, and this has caused confusion around the different competitions and when they are set to be held. It is also not uncommon for the same representative to attend more than one international competition during their year of reign should the international pageant's dates and timeline allow for it," officials said in a statement. 

Several other Miss South Africa winners have also represented the country at more than one international pageant. Miss SA 2016 Ntandoyenkosi Kunene represented SA at both the Miss Universe 2016 and Miss World 2016 pageants.

Jo-Anne Strauss, Bokang Montjane, and Tansey Coetzee also graced the stages of more than one pageant. 

According to The Citizen, runner-up Moratwe Masima unfollowed Miss SA on Instagram after its Miss Supranational announcement.  She allegedly also removed "Miss SA runner-up" from her bio.  

Moratwe does, however, still have Miss SA's Instagram handle in her bio.

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Main image credit: Instagram/@lalela_mswane