Miss SA returns to home soil
MISS South Africa Lalela Mswane will be spending time today at her home in Kwasokhulu, Richards Bay, where she will interact with her neighbours.
She returned to her home for the first time this weekend since being crowned last year.
Her mother, Hlelisiwe Mswane, said there would be chanting and celebrations at home, as many awaited Miss SA’S arrival.
“They are busy at home preparing for my daughter’s arrival. They are brewing traditional beer and cooking food, and everyone is excited,” said Mswane.
She said she was very proud of her daughter, who was crowned second runner-up during the Miss Universe competition, held in Israel, despite many calling on her to boycott the pageant. “I am very very proud of her. I am glad she did not give up. She pushed on and fought a very good fight. She is a very focused and diligent young lady.”
Lalela’s older sister, Hlobisile Mswane, said she also took pride in her sister’s achievement.
“I am so proud of her. She has come a long way and she really prepared herself for this, so it’s really good to see her live her dream,” said Hlobisile.
Lalela felt overwhelmed by the love and support she received from those who welcomed her at King Shaka International Airport on Friday.
“I am feeling very overwhelmed by the love and support I have received from Kwazulu-natal. I think for anybody, really, the love and support that stems from home hits differently and is really not the same. It is truly a lot to receive, and I am very grateful.” said Lalela.
When asked about how she felt about the death of former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, who jumped from a 60-storey building to her death, Lalela said it was very sad that people suffered in silence.
“I had the honour of meeting Cheslie, as she was part of the preliminary selection panel for Miss Universe. She was a very lovely lady, and it only goes to show that mental health issues really do not have a face. They really do not have a category or look like anything, and I think that, once again, it has really been brought under the spotlight how important taking care of your mental health is,” said Lalela.
“We still have a lot of work to do in that. There is still a lot of stigmatisation surrounding mental health issues, and I hope that we can get to a point where it is not so taboo to speak up, because it is said to be suffering in silence. You look at someone and they look so happy, and we don’t know what they are going through.”
During her three-day homecoming, Miss SA attended a matric awards ceremony and visited the Zulu royal family.