By Tamlyn Canham
Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane has placed in the top three at the Miss Universe ceremony in Israel.
The judges picked the 24-year-old as their second-runner up. India’s Harnaaz Sandhu won the pageant on Sunday night.
Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira finished in the first-runner-up position. Pageant watchers named Lalela an early favourite following the final two preliminary competitions on Friday.
She confidently walked the stage in ‘A Dove of Peace’ outfit during the National Costume Show.
Lalela wore a white bodysuit with pheasant feathers created by The Costume Dept. Miss SA officials said the outfit brings a message of hope to the global stage.
“Our beautiful Miss South Africa @lalela_mswane represents her nation, culture and its spirit of Ubuntu. A nation that has shown that lasting peace can be achieved,” Miss SA wrote on its official Instagram page.
The look was fitting considering the controversy surrounding Lalela’s decision to attend the pageant.
Scores of people, including Mandla Mandela and Pro-Palestine supporters, called for her to boycott the ceremony.
ALSO READ: Pictures: Lalela Mswane explores Israel ahead of Miss Universe ceremony
Lalela Mswane’s impressive showing
Lalela confidently walked the stage in Eilat on Sunday. Many South Africans dubbed her walk onstage ‘The Naomi Campbell Walk’.
“If ‘PERFECTION’ was a person,” one Instagram user commented on a clip of Lalela showing off her swimsuit outfit.
South Africa was the only African country to make it to the top 16 at the ceremony.
Lalela also received praise for how she answered her final questions on the night. The judges grilled her about cancel culture.
The grilling Q & A session and @Lalela_lali nailed it 🔥#MissUniverse #LalelaForMissUniverse #Lalela pic.twitter.com/f4vmCbZCRW
— Miss South Africa (@Official_MissSA) December 13, 2021
Host Steve Harvey asked Lalela what advice she would give to young women on how to deal with the pressures they face today.
“I would implore young women today to choose courage over comfort every opportunity they get. I’d also like young women to know that since the beginning of time they’ve had everything within them to achieve anything they’ve wanted. It was, unfortunately, the world that convinced us that we did not,” she answered.
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Social media reaction
“Beautiful Answer, straight to the point, so rich and well rounded,” one Instagram user noted.
Scores of South Africans also took to Twitter to congratulate Lalela on finishing in the top 3.
“She’s the strongest woman I know. Bullied not just by others, but by her own. Yet she remained resolute. Queen s**t,” one Twitter user wrote.
Another user added: “South Africa, let us all stand and give our Queen #misssouthafrica a standing ovation. Against all odds, she had made most South Africans proud for being crowned #MissUniverse2021 2nd runner up.”
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South Africa, let us all stand and give our Queen #misssouthafrica a standing ovation. Against all odds, she had made most South Africans proud for being crowned #MissUniverse2021 2nd runner up. pic.twitter.com/rIcyHbmysv
— Mr A (@Alindwe_mp) December 13, 2021
Guys has the government issued out a tender for writing apology letters? I'll gladly write it for them. Where do I apply?😭 I'm related to my grandma I'm sure that puts me in a good position to get the tender right🥺
— Kieth Jackson (@Kieth_Jackson69) December 13, 2021
Lalela #MissUniverse2021 #misssouthafrica #MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/Ps6BSsiBmh
While I haven't changed my stance on the issue of Palestine & the pageant being held in Israel. I will admit one thing I learnt from Lalela is courage to follow your heart. Even amongst the hate she got she was nothing short of graceful. Humbled & speechless. #misssouthafrica https://t.co/ZuJUTN98rm
— Khosi (@Khosinpr) December 13, 2021
#misssouthafrica
— Sifanele Ntombela eNkandla Ohlelo (@CpourMbovu) December 13, 2021
this queen right here did the most.
Thank you so much Lalela for keeping us glued to our screens screaming your name. you did you best I'm so motivated❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Lalela mswane 2nd runner up #MissUniverse2021 #MissUniverse #misssouthafrica pic.twitter.com/lj348limpZ
We can’t get over you ⚜️ @Lalela_lali #MissUniverse #lalelaformissuniverse #Lalelamswane pic.twitter.com/imjafZqpuz
— Miss South Africa (@Official_MissSA) December 13, 2021
Here’s a look at the moment Steve Harvey announced that Lalela was the second-runner-up.



