By Kaya 959 Reporter
Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane has touched down in Israel for the Miss Universe pageant.
Both Mswane and Miss SA pageant organisers have faced massive scrutiny over their decision to take part in the competition due to it being hosted in Israel.
However, organisers say they stand united with Mswane and her decision to continue with her participation in the pageant.
They further said they would not be drawn into what they deemed a political issue.
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At the weekend, Mswane released a statement saying she was grateful for the opportunity to represent her beautiful country.
“Being Miss South Africa is not only an honour but also a huge responsibility and I am determined to serve our country proudly in the best way that I can,” she said.
Miss SA backlash
Earlier this month, the South African government withdrew its support for the Miss SA pageant.
Department of Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthetwa, said talks with the organisers fell flat. “The government held discussions with organisers in the hope that Miss SA Lalela Mswane would withdraw from the pageant,” he said.
Mthethwa said organisers lacked appreciation of the potentially negative impact that Mswane’s participation would have on her future as a young black woman.
The Palestine Solidarity Alliance also urged Mswane to boycott the pageant. The alliance has accused Mswane of only being “worried about her own self-gains”. It further claims that the 24-year-old has blocked the alliance’s Instagram pages.
“It’s disappointing that she as well as her organisers will be representing us, a country that knows first hand what it is like living under an occupation, in an apartheid state,” PSA wrote.
Miss Universe officials are holding this year’s pageant in Eilat on December 13.
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