MIA le Roux has made history as the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss South Africa, following a highly contentious competition that witnessed the withdrawal of a finalist due to social media backlash over her Nigerian heritage.
In her acceptance speech, Ms. Le Roux expressed her hope that her victory would inspire those who feel marginalised or excluded from society to pursue their ‘wildest dreams, just like I am.’ She emphasised her commitment to supporting individuals who are ‘financially excluded or differently abled.’
The competition took a dramatic turn last week when 23-year-old law student Chidimma Adetshina withdrew amid allegations that her mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman. Born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, Ms. Adetshina had been at the centre of a heated social media debate, with many, including a cabinet minister, questioning her eligibility to represent the country.
Adetshina described the attacks against her as ‘black-on-black hate,’ highlighting a form of xenophobia in South Africa known as ‘afrophobia,’ which targets individuals from other African countries.
Mia le Roux, 28, was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one and uses a cochlear implant to assist her with hearing. She shared that it took two years of speech therapy before she could speak her first words.
After winning the title, the model and marketing manager proudly declared, ‘I am a proudly South African deaf woman, and I know what it feels like to be excluded. I now realise I was put on this planet to break boundaries, and I did it tonight.’
Ms. Le Roux’s historic win is being celebrated as a triumph of perseverance and a powerful message of inclusion and diversity in South Africa.
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