Richards Bay’s Lalela Mswane crowned Miss SA

Richards Bay beauty Lalela Mswane has officially been crowned Miss South Africa 2021.

The 24-year-old model and dancer of KwaSokhulu was crowned at a ceremony held at the Grand West Arena, Cape Town earlier this evening (Saturday).

Miss South Africa 2021 @Lalela_lali 😍#misssa2021 #misssouthafrica #faceyourpower #embraceyourfuture pic.twitter.com/6NM2BFPBmR

— Miss South Africa (@Official_MissSA) October 16, 2021

We are witnessing greatness personified!

Congratulations to our Top 3 #misssa2021 #misssouthafrica #faceyourpower #embraceyourfuture pic.twitter.com/w7Ux4Ij0Er

— Miss South Africa (@Official_MissSA) October 16, 2021

Mswane is a Bachelor of Law graduate from the University of Pretoria who earlier this year described the Miss SA journey as a surreal moment.

‘The journey has revealed so much about me I wasn’t aware of. Firstly, that I possess more courage than I ever give myself credit for.

‘I was confident enough to have pursued this dream and opened up myself to scrutiny,’ she told ZO senior journalist Wellington Makwakwa after being announced as a top 10 finalist in August.

Q&A – Getting to know Lalela Mswane:  

Tell us a bit more about your family

My father passed away in 2010, leaving behind my mother, my siblings and me. I am the last born of three.

Why did you decide to enter Miss South Africa 2021?

I entered in pursuit of a childhood dream. I deserve to win this title because I believe my advocacy against the abatement of unemployment in our nation is one which requires dire attention, and having the full support of the Miss SA organisation would provide greater impact in the quest for meaningful and long lasting solutions.

I possess the compassion, tenacity, leadership and people skills which render me a worthy title holder.

Tell us about your biggest disappointment and how you bounced back from it

Being rejected by clients in the modelling industry. Patience and a mentality shift aided my bounce-back. Rejection helped mould the resolute lady I am today, and my indomitable will to succeed is fortified each time I’m told ‘no’.

What do you think is the biggest problem facing young people today?

Young people suffer the greatest self-esteem and body image issues today more than ever. They constantly subject themselves to comparison and always feel like they fall short of societal standards of beauty. This, I believe, is among the leading causes of bullying and depression in many young people.

What is the one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I sucked my thumb for the first 18 years of my life.

What is the number 1 piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

I would tell myself to be gentle with myself, get rid of the idea that I must be perfect and look and act a certain way to be accepted.

To let go, let God, and simply live trusting that everything will be okay, and if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.

What would be your dream holiday?

A week-long summer vacation in Bora-Bora, a small South Pacific island northwest of Tahiti in French Polynesia with my mom and siblings.

If you could have any superhuman power, what would it be?

Definitely teleportation. Imagine how much time I would save and how many places I would visit!

What do you love about South Africa?

Our country is extremely rich in diversity, heritage, culture and history.

We boast a beautiful nation abundant in picturesque scenery, but my favourite thing about South Africa is our people and their steadfast spirit in the face of adversity. We also never fail to make humour the centre of any situation, good or bad, I love that!