By Tamlyn Canham
The Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) has joined calls for Miss SA to boycott the Miss Universe pageant in Israel. Lalela Mswane is set to take part in the pageant in a few weeks.
The alliance has accused Lalela 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.
The alliance says Miss SA’s participation is “inexcusable”.
“Dear Lalela and the Miss SA organisers, you have the power to make a difference.”
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Leave Miss SA alone
Miss Malaysia and Miss Indonesia have reportedly decided not to participate in this year’s Miss Universe ceremony.
Miss SA officials, meanwhile, are adamant that Lalela will take part in the pageant in Eliat on Sunday, December 12.
“The Miss South Africa Organisation is not getting involved in a political war of words,” the orginsation told Channel 24.
Lalela’s fans have come to her defence after she received some hate online.
“I am not sure how to feel about this. Ya’ll are out here coming for Lalela while your government is not willing to cut ties with Israel. First, boycott your government before bullying Lalela for doing her job. Let MissSA live her dream!” one Twitter user wrote.
#MissSA #handsoffLalela
I am not sure how to feel about this. Ya'll are out here coming for Lalela while your gorvenment is not willing to cut ties with Israel. First boycott your gorvenment before bullying Lalela for doing her job. Let MissSA live her dream!— The Queen of peace 🌈🇿🇦🇩🇪 (@Queennatasha_O) November 8, 2021
Another user added: “Contracts were signed, responsibilities and duties were stipulated. Lalela is receiving misdirected backlash. Start with Miss Universe organisation, why they’ve decided to host in Israel. Then go to Miss SA organisation, why they’re participating. #MissSA #MissUniverse2021.”
But some users did not agree.
“You can’t put politics aside when you’re Miss SA,” one woman wrote.
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