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29/11/2021
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Miss SA Lalela Mswane has continued to court controversy after secretly departing for the Miss Universe pageant in Israel over the weekend.
by Megan van den Heever 29-11-2021 in Lifestyle
Lalela Mswane arrives in Israel for the Miss Universe pageant
Lalela Mswane arrives in Israel over the weekend for the Miss Universe pageant that takes place on 12 December 2021
Lalela Mswane is officially beginning her journey to the Miss Universe crown after touching down in Israel over the weekend.
Despite the backlash to her statement announcing her departure, the 21-year-old Miss South Africa defied critics by boarding a plane to the pageant which takes place next month.
And unlike her predecessors, Lalela’s send-off was a private and low-key affair.
LALELA MSWANE LEAVES FOR ISRAEL
According to the Miss SA social media accounts, Lalela Mswane departed for Eilat, Israel, over the weekend.
This, after a travel ban from Israel and a growing number of countries, was imposed on South Africa after the new COVID-19 variant Omicron was discovered by local scientists.
Posing in a yellow jumpsuit, Lalela posed for a number of pictures holding the South African flag.
She shared in her caption: “Ready as I’ll ever be! I’m so grateful for this opportunity to represent my country on the @missuniverse stage! South Africa! Let’s do this!”.
Miss SA also shared images of her on their official account, lending their support for the beauty queen who has received widespread criticism from government, the public and human rights organisations for her decision to visit Israel.
They wrote in the caption: “Go share your sunshine with the rest of the Universe @lalela_mswane is off to @missuniverse We are behind you every step of the way!”.
WHERE IS HER NATIONAL COSTUME?
Hours after announcing her departure, Lalela Mswane showed off pictures of herself in Israel.
Wearing a purple print Khosi Nkosi dress, she wrote: “First day of Miss Universe 2021 and oh how wonderful it was! Met a lot of my fellow contestants and these women are absolutely phenomenal! Cannot wait for what’s to come! Tomorrow is registration day!”.
But fans demanded to know details about her national costume, which she would be wearing to the Miss Universe pageant.
Responding to a follower, Miss SA organisers answered: “More information coming soon. Keep an eye on our socials for updates”
Typically, national costumes are revealed prior to contestants embarking on the pageants abroad.
TWEEPS REACT: ‘LEAVE THE FLAG BEHIND’
Whilst many South African fans and followers shared their well wishes to Lalela Mswane ahead of the Miss Universe pageant on 12 December 2021, others were less than impressed
“Why is she holding the South African flag? She is not representing South Africa”, asked on tweep.
Another added: “You are not representing the whole of South Africa which i imagine you are pretty clear about by now. It’s a no from me”.
Whilst a third quipped: “Leave the flag behind”.
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