New Miss SA aims to focus on jobs
NEWLY-crowned Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane aims to focus on youth unemployment as she begins her reign.
KwaZulu-Natal’s Mswane was crowned Miss South Africa 2021 at a glittering pageant finale by former Miss South Africa, Shudufhadzo Musida at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town on Saturday.
The 24-year-old from KwaSokhulu in Richards Bay is a law graduate from the University of Pretoria, a model and a dancer.
“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. 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,” Mswane said.
The new Miss South Africa’s mother Hleliselwe was an accounts clerk who, after years in the labour force, decided to assume the great responsibility of being a home-maker. She has an older sister Hlobisile and brother Mavela. Her father died 11 years ago.
The two runners-up were Moratwe Masima, a qualified doctor from Midrand and BCom Law degree student
Zimi Mabunzi from eQonce, Eastern Cape.
In her acceptance speech, Mswane outlined how she would like to make unemployment the cornerstone for all the causes she cares for.
“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,” she said.
The new queen said her campaign aimed to assist young people create their own employment opportunities.