Lalela brings Miss SA crown to Zululand
IMMENSE pride is flowing through Zululand after local model Lalela Mswane (24) was crowned Miss South Africa 2021 on Saturday night.
Praises and messages of support for the new queen continues to pour in from all quarters. The KwaSokhulu-born model made history from a Zululand perspective on Saturday at the glittering pageant finale held at Grand Arena in Cape Town, when she fulfilled her childhood dream of wearing the coveted crown.
‘My role now is to encourage, inspire, give hope and continue to work and build on the legacies of previous title holders,’ said Lalela.
Speaking to the
ZO on Tuesday,
Lalela’s mother Hleliselwe Mswane said the family was overjoyed.
‘I almost fell to the ground from shock mixed with excitement. I was close to the stage when they called her name, but I couldn’t believe it.
‘I know my daughter is intelligent, and even in school she always strived to be first, but I never thought her grand achievement would be something like this.
'My body started shaking from disbelief and I’m sure her father is also proud of her in Heaven,’ she said.
Lalela received R1-million cash in prize money, as well as a further R3-million worth of sponsorships and other prizes.
These include the use of a fully furnished and serviced apartment at the luxurious Central Square Sandton, and cruising in style in a Mercedes-Benz C Class for the year of her reign.
The region is beaming with pride
My role now is to encourage, inspire, give hope and continue to work and build on the legacies of previous title holders
From KwaSokhulu to the world
Born in KwaSokhulu outside Richards Bay, Lalela is the youngest of three children – her sister Hlobisile (37) and brother
Mavela (35).
Growing up in the dusty streets of KwaSokhulu, Lalela had a dream of winning the crown.
After completing matric she studied towards a law degree at the University of Pretoria.
Lalela says her mother has always been her role model who inspired her to reach for new heights.
‘She is the greatest giver of love, patience, kindness, affection and support. She never fails to extend grace, even when
experiencing injustice.'
However, the journey to winning the Miss SA title was not always a smooth ride for the local queen.
She had to endure months of public scrutiny while also impressing the judges during interview stages..
Her hard work and remaining true to herself saw her reaching the top 40 and then the top 10.
‘It was honestly the most surreal moment of my life to be in the top 10. I was extremely excited but also in a state of disbelief. I literally screamed for about a minute,’ she said.
During their finale, it was her mission statement and her genuine views on tackling matters of unemployment which saw her going to the top.
‘During the journey towards the title, I made unemployment the cornerstone of all the causes I care about 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 promote the conversation about unemployment amongst our youth and seek meaningful solutions which will have long-lasting effect.
‘My campaign aim is to offer support to young people, assisting them to create their own employment opportunities by means of entrepreneurial skills, and empower themselves to become self-sufficient and secure their own economic futures,’ she said.