DURBAN – KwaZulu-Natal has one representative in the Miss South Africa 2021 Top 10 finalists. Lalela Mswane, from KwaSokhulu in Richards Bay, has made it to the next round of the Miss SA 2021 title that was announced recently with nine hopefuls from other provinces.
Mswane said she was astonished by the news and did not expect to make it this far in the competition. “It was honestly the most surreal moment of my life. The exact moment was a bit of a blur for me because it occurred so quickly. I was extremely excited and I was also in a state of disbelief,” she said.
The 24-year-old said she is looking forward to using the platform to work on her already existing foundation.
“I established the Lalela Mswane Foundation in June 2020 with the purpose of providing support for young South Africans from underprivileged backgrounds who have struggled to reach their full potential.
“If I was afforded the opportunity to be Miss South Africa 2021, I would use the platform to expand the influence of the foundation and focus on merging school syllabi and skill. This means effectively providing kids with skills that help them transition from school into life outside of school. This initiative will be called #BeReady and I hope to involve the government,” she said.
Mswane said she is looking forward to her childhood dream of introducing herself to South Africa on the night of the pageant. “A moment I eagerly await is stepping onto the Miss South Africa stage for the first time on the live final night and announcing, “Good evening South Africa, I am Lalela Mswane from KwaSokhulu, KwaZulu-Natal”. This will be mind-blowing because the seven-year-old me will be affirmed for dreaming so boldly,” she said.
The pageant will be televised on October 16 from Grand West Arena in Cape Town where the title winner will be announced.
THE MERCURY