Nigerians react after 28-year-old white South African won Miss SA 2024

Nigerians have reacted after a model of European descent, Mia Le Roux, emerged as Miss South Africa 2024. 

Le Roux, a descendant of the Dutch settlers, who is a marketing manager, model and part-time BCom marketing student, was born in Sasolburg in the Free State and raised in Oudtshoorn. 

The 28-year-old South African was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one and currently lives in Rosebank, Cape Town.

She won a whopping R1 million in cash and a brand-new Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe.

The glamorous event was held at SunBet Arena at Times Square in Pretoria on Saturday, August 10, a few days after South Africa-born Chidimma Adetshina, who is of Nigerian and Mozambican descent, withdrew from the competition. 

Chidinma has been embroiled in an extensive nationality row, following an uproar when she rose to the finals of the pageant. 

The 23-year-old law student became the subject of xenophobia and bullying on social media with many South Africans, including Cabinet ministers, questioning her citizenship. 

Following a probe into Adetshina’s citizenship, the national Department of Home Affairs earlier this week announced it has uncovered ‘evidence that her mother allegedly committed identity fraud.

Shortly after Miss SA organization made the announcement, Nigerians took to the comment section to react. 

The comments ranged from funny, angry, to sarcastic. 

Popular social media personality, Omojuwa, wrote: “A true South African, in name, image and identity. Congratulations to Mia Leroux. A fitting end to an extraordinary competition.”

One Tomi, wrote: Congratulations to her. Now women I think about the epitome of beauty among South African women, I will think about a white women.”

“A black African girl hounded out of a competition only for it to be won by a European. The jokes write themselves,” a South African nationale wrote.

An X user posted a photo of Nelson Mandela and wrote: “27 wasted years.”