Miss South Africa Triggers Heated Online Debates Over Pageant in Israel

The state distanced itself from the beauty queen after she refused to boycott the show over Israeli policies towards Palestinians, while Israeli media has accused South Africa of politicizing the contest.

The South African government has spoken out against Lalela Mswane participating in the Miss Universe pageant to be held in Eilat, Israel next month, citing its commitment to the Palestinian cause.

“The atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians are well documented,” Minister of Arts, Sport and Culture Nathi Mthethwa said in a statement.

According to AP, South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress, has also called on Mswane to withdraw from the contest, warning her that “the damage to her reputation will far exceed any glamour that may arise.”

A wave of criticism has swept Mswane on social media, with users suggesting she should have been the first contestant to boycott the event. Many have found it confusing that a South African has decided to travel to the Jewish State which Palestinians and activists around the world have accused of pursuing the same apartheid policies South Africa itself suffered from in the past.

Miss South Africa should have been the FIRST contestant to boycott Miss Universe in Isreal. Instead, they organisation has allowed this to become a diplomatic issue and are completely tarnishing Lalela's reign.

— Janine J 💕 (@janine_j) November 14, 2021

Now she is Miss Lalela Mswane representing herself and not South Africa.

— Barnes 🇿🇦 (@BarnesRSA) November 14, 2021

Miss Universe competition in Israel is messy for South Africa. This is not because of govt’s handling, Palestine/Israel is complex & messy. In the 1970s, contestants boycotted Miss Universe in SA. It would have been great she & Miss SA org did the same. They chose not to.

— Nomboniso Gasa (@nombonisogasa) November 15, 2021

If she goes, she will be participating in sanitizing the image of Israel Apartheid using our very painful past. It's disgusting and I can't believe that her & the Miss SA organisation would do this.

— Noxolo Madonsela (@Noxxcee) November 14, 2021

Others also cited controversial remarks made by Jewish religious officials.

This is the Israel Miss South Africa wants to embrace. #BoycottIsrael #ApartheidIsrael pic.twitter.com/IC0PD6FuuI

— #Africa4Palestine (@Africa4Pal) November 16, 2021

However, others, mostly Israeli journalists and a number of former pageant contestants, have expressed their support for Mswane, insisting beauty should be above politics.

Miss South Africa is being bullied not to attend Miss Universe in Eilat, Israel. She has bravely stood up to it. Support her and tell the ANC to stop politicizing a beauty pageant with ugly hate! @Official_MissSA @MissUniverse https://t.co/lVz6ictnUX

— Michael Dickson (@michaeldickson) November 18, 2021

If South Africans go to Israel for pleasure despite it being an “Apartheid State”, then why are we complaining about Miss South Africa partaking in a pageant held in Israel? She’s not going to endorse Apartheid, she didn’t choose the location either. My point: “hypocrisy” https://t.co/RRz3T6B2Ih

— S (@SunflowerSrina) November 19, 2021

Well, it's most likely that the chance to win the title (and lucrative contracts that usually come with it) is what drove Mswane to participate, rather than the mere desire to promote beauty and love.