Miss South Africa 2021 Lalela Mswane hits the ground running

A radiant Lalela Mswane woke up on Sunday morning as Miss South Africa 2021 to a busy media schedule including a press conference with the two runners up of the pageant.

The 24-year-old – who comes from KwaSokhulu in Richards Bay – graduated with a Bachelor of Law from the University of Pretoria. She is also a model and a dancer.

She appeared at a press conference with Moratwe Masima, a qualified doctor from Midrand in Gauteng, and BCom Law degree student Zimi Mabunzi from eQonce (King William’s Town) Eastern Cape.

Her first day was jam-packed with activities. The new Miss South Africa also did a photoshoot and appeared at an event for Brand SA.

“I really wasn’t expecting it, which is why I started crying (when I was crowned). I was so shocked because I was already so fulfilled and blessed to have made it to the Top 3. So, for me, taking the title is genuinely just the cherry on top,” said Mswane.

“My role now is to encourage, to inspire, to give hope and to continue to work and build onto the legacies of Miss South Africa’s past. I intend to live by every word I have expressed and to serve, lead and represent our beautiful nation to the best of my abilities,” she added.

Speaking at the media briefing, Mswane said: “During the journey towards this title, I made unemployment the cornerstone of all the causes I care for because it not only affects our youth but is the source of many of the social ills so prevalent in South Africa. It is now my duty as Miss South Africa to ensure that I start the conversation about unemployment among our youth and seek meaningful solutions which will have long-lasting effects towards its rebate,” said Mswane.

As Miss South Africa, Mswane receives R1 million in cash as well as a further R3 million worth of sponsorships and prizes, including the use of a fully furnished and serviced apartment at the luxurious Central Square Sandton, with fabulous interior décor by Vursa, and a Mercedes Benz C-Class Sedan for the year of her reign.

Masima and Mabunzi both received R175 000.

“My campaign aims to offer support to young people to assist them to create their own employment opportunities by means of entrepreneurial skills and, in doing so, empowering them to be self-sufficient and to secure their own economic futures. I neither take the magnitude of the task lightly nor for granted because I know unemployment is a complex issue. But action towards its reduction is necessary today more than ever. Let us get ready to create and build healthy and sustainable entrepreneurial opportunities, take ownership of and shape our own futures. There’s never been a better time to do so.”

Mswane sent out a note of gratitude to her fellow contestants for making the journey ‘incredibly amazing’. 

“My beautiful South Africa, now that I have been so warmly welcomed into your hearts, I hope to bring you as much joy and pride as I can.” 

The event was screened on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) and streamed online for an international audience on MissSA.live. Hosts were two of South Africa’s best-loved television personalities, Anele Mdoda and Nico Panagio, while Miss Universe title holders, 2018 winner Catriona Gray and her 2019 Zozibini Tunzi, were backstage presenters.

The all-women selection panel line-up included respected and influential personalities with reigning Miss Universe Andrea Meza joined by Miss Universe 2015, TV personality, model and actress Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach; former Miss South Africa title holders Basetsana Kumalo (1994) and Tamaryn Green (2018); actress Shannon Esra (The Queen, The River); vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town Mamokgethi Phakeng and radio and TV presenter Dineo Ranaka.

The Miss South Africa Top 3 will represent the country at the world’s three most prestigious pageants. Previously, the Miss South Africa Organisation has sent a representative to both Miss Universe and Miss World but will also now be fielding a candidate to Miss Supranational. It will only be revealed at a later date which contestant will go to which pageant.