Miss South Africa Defends Decision to Compete

Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane has said she “followed what felt right” regarding her participation in the Miss Universe contest.

The South African government withdrew its support for the beauty queen after public pressure citing Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

Mswane said she “chose faith over fear,” explaining her decision to proceed.

The pageant organisers had urged participants to ‘shun politics.’

Mswane emerged second runner-up in the Miss Universe competition won by India’s Harnaaz Sandhu.

BBC /Shakirat Sadiq