Miss South Africa 2024 Mia le Roux recently shared that she will be representing the country at the prestigious Miss Universe pageant in November.
Le Roux was asked by presenter Abigail Visagie at the Miss South Africa and L'Oréal Worth In Progress brunch, if she would be headed to Miss Universe.
“I will be representing South Africa at the Miss Universe pageant,” said Le Roux and the crowd applauded in excitement.
“It is special to have the opportunity to take my message to a global stage, because I believe the message I have is actually relevant globally and I am really grateful to have that opportunity and I cannot wait to represent us.”
The reigning queen explained to guests the importance of her messaging championing inclusivity and challenging societal barriers.
@thislove_k Miss SA 2024 Mia le Roux will be representing the country at Miss Universe #MissSA #MialeRoux #missuniverse ♬ original sound - Oluthando Keteyi
“For me it’s truly important, as I know how it feels like to deal with that kind of exclusion and I don’t believe that anyone deserves to be left behind and that everyone deserves to have a space where they feel seen and heard.
“We as the included have the capacity and power to help others feel seen and heard and we need to have the compassion and empathy to actually take it a step further and think about the communities we don't think about.
“The marginalised, the excluded because they also are human beings just like we all are with hopes and dreams. For example, someone in my situation, I don’t have the option to hear but you do have the option to see me for who I am and that’s what it’s about.”
Le Roux changed the narrative about beauty pageants when she entered the Miss SA 2024 beauty pageant, inspiring many people who live with disabilities across the country. She is the first deaf Miss SA, and the first contestant of Miss Universe 2024 who is deaf.
Miss Universe 2024, will be taking place on November 16, at Arena CDMX in Mexico City.
IOL Entertainment