The Miss South Africa organization posted a video on their social media a few days ago announcing that the official entries for Miss South Africa 2021 have begun and the last date for entering the pageant is 24th June 2021. The winner will succeed Miss South Africa 2020 Shudufhadzo Musida, who will represent the country at Miss World 2021 in December.

Stephanie Weil of the Miss South Africa organization stated that the organization is excited to be back and provide a leading voice to not only the winners but also to all the young entrants and finalists who join the beauty competition as a part of their empowerment platform. This year’s slogan is "Woman who will not be silenced, who will speak boldly and echo their voice so that others can be heard! To the woman who doesn’t want to be good but is ready to raise the standard and become great! "

The organization has received applause from the audience for including trans women in the entry application process. "Trans women are eligible to enter the Miss SA pageant. However, to be eligible to compete internationally, the contestant must have a valid South African ID document reflecting that their amended sex is female," said the organization.

A few of the users on social media took to their social media accounts to write and applaud the organization for including every woman and giving them a chance and a platform to be the best version of themselves. Users wrote, "finally inclusivity takes center stage," "Finally, all women are being represented. Love this so much,” "Miss South Africa is accepting Transwomen in 2021. This is the freedom Nelson Mandela fought for, "etc.

Shudufhadzo Musida encouraged people to participate in the beauty pageant, saying, "I will cherish for as long as I live. You too can do it! This platform has not only empowered me, but it has caused a ripple effect that has empowered others too. It has empowered a nation of girls just like me and showed me that all dreams are valid irrespective of your background. "

Here are the steps you need to follow to enter Miss South Africa 2021

Enter on the Miss SA website.

Fill in the questions.

Upload entry pictures (one head and shoulders and one full-body image).

Entrants will also be required to post their introduction video on social media using #MissSA2021 and tagging Miss South Africa on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Entrants are encouraged to watch the dedicated "How To" videos that will be uploaded by Miss SA online.

Sibabalwe Gcilitshana, Miss South Africa's first openly gay queen finalist in 2019, stated that she was honoured and grateful to be able to be visible and take up space that had previously been occupied by people like her. "I want people to know that my identity is not the only narrative of why I am here. I hope this will normalize different identities and I hope that the next queer, bisexual and non-binary finalists to come will never have to be labelled by their identity; they will just be considered Miss South Africa finalists, "she said.

Where the audience is applauding this inclusivity, there are a few divas who have not liked the idea of a rule that the organization had implemented where the contestant must have a valid South African ID document reflecting that their amended sex is female. Transgender woman Melody Seherrie says, "I would be participating in Miss South Africa if they didn’t have the requirement for the gender marker to be changed. Changing your gender marker in South Africa is a very lengthy process and takes about a year and a half and requires a substantial amount of money. And before you have a gender marker change, you need psychological evaluations and certification that you can indeed have your gender marker changed. " Advocacy group, Gender Dynamix, says the red tape and lack of access to resources will make it difficult for transgender women to exploit this opportunity.

The Miss South Africa organization mentioned that the powerful commercial that was posted a few days ago to make an official announcement was scripted by Melissa Nayimuli, a finalist at last year’s competition. The entire beauty pageant closes on 24th June 2021.