First deaf Miss South Africa crowned after divisive competition

Mia le Roux has made history as the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss South Africa, following a controversial competition that saw one finalist withdraw after facing harassment over her Nigerian heritage.

In her acceptance speech, Ms. Le Roux expressed her hope that her victory would inspire those who feel excluded from society to achieve their “wildest dreams, just like I am.”

emphasized her desire to support individuals who are “financially excluded or differently abled.”

Last week, 23-year-old law student Chidimma Adetshina withdrew from the competition amid allegations that her mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman.

Born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, Ms. Adetshina had been at the center of a social media storm for weeks. Many, including a cabinet minister, questioned her right to represent the country.

Ms. Adetshina described her experience as being the victim of “black-on-black hate,” highlighting a specific form of xenophobia in South Africa known as “afrophobia,” which targets people from other African countries.

Ms. Le Roux, 28, was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one and uses a cochlear implant to help her perceive sound. She shared that it took two years of speech therapy before she was able to say her first words.

After winning, the model and marketing manager said: “I am a proudly South African deaf woman and I know what it feels like to be excluded.

“I know now that I was put on this planet to break boundaries and I did it tonight.”