The annual Miss South Africa beauty pageant took place this past weekend, and while there has been lots of controversy in the build-up to the event – the actual ceremony was nothing short of spectacular.
On the night the country witnessed the crowning of its first-ever hearing-impaired Miss South Africa, Mia Le Roux. The Free State beauty is the 66th person to receive the crown.
Taking to social media many users shared their congratulatory messages and shared in her joy.
Among the thousands who reposted, commented and tweeted the news was the award-winning singer and actress Nandi Madida.
Taking to her Instagram, the wife to Grammy Award winner Zakes Bantwini described the crowning as a “game changer in the world.”
“As a mother to a beautiful girl who is on the autistic spectrum, getting to watch Mia Le Roux who is deaf and has a cochlear implant win Miss South Africa is a moment I will forever cherish.”
She added: “Not only is it a game changer for the world, but one for the little kids out there who didn’t think it was possible. Inclusivity matters. Congrats to Mia and all the Miss South Africa contestants.”
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Last year the singer opened up about her journey after being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in 2022.
She shared that her biggest source of inspiration was when she discovered the YouTube channel of an actress, Tara Leniston who gave up her career to raise her neurodivergent child and often shared tips for living positively with autism.
At the time Nandi said she was overwhelmed by her child’s autism diagnosis and tried to get information on how to be the best mother under the circumstances, not knowing that she was neurodivergent as well until she was diagnosed.
“When I watched her videos, I felt that she took my hand and comforted me…”
She explained that this made her feel empowered and motivated as a mother.
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Also see: Mzansi reacts to Mia Le Roux’s Miss SA crowing
