Mia Le Roux, a model from the Free State, has been crowned Miss South Africa 2024 in a dazzling ceremony at the Sun Bet Arena, Time Square, in Menlyn, Pretoria.
Le Roux who was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at just one year old marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first hearing-impaired individual to win the title.
The 28-year-old, known for her resilience, dedication, grace, and kindness, credits her community as the inspiration behind her mission to make a positive impact and break barriers, especially after they supported her in receiving the gift of hearing.
Le Roux, who balances her roles as a Marketing Manager, model, and part-time BCom Marketing student, succeeds Miss SA 2023, Natasha Joubert. Her crowning comes after a competition overshadowed by controversy regarding the citizenship status of former contestant Chiddima Vanessa Adetshina, who withdrew from the competition amid allegations of identity fraud and safety concerns.
Le Roux has received widespread congratulations, including from the South African government, political parties like the ANC and EFF, and various public figures. EFF MP Fana Mokoena praised her for bringing a “refreshingly new angle to the pageant,” highlighting how her perspective on deafness challenges conventional views.
Former Miss SA judge Thuli Madonsela also weighed in on the controversy surrounding Adetshina, expressing concern over how the situation was handled, which she believes has created a climate of mistrust between South Africa and the rest of Africa. Meanwhile, Adetshina has reportedly been invited to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.
