After a successful finish as the second runner-up at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant, South Africa’s pride Lalela Mswane returned to her home province for the first time since being crowned Miss South Africa 2021 in October 2021.
Lalela Mswane fought valiantly for the title and was eventually crowned South Africa's newest beauty queen. Her route to success was strewn with adversity, as she bravely decided to compete in the Miss Universe competition immediately after being crowned. Despite all the controversy surrounding her reign, the 24 year-old diva received a warm welcome at the King Shaka International Airport on Friday.
"I'm truly excited to be returning back home after the immense support I've received during my reign and build up to Miss SA and Miss Universe competition, particularly because we haven't had the crown in KwaZulu-Natal since 2008, so it just makes it that much more special. And for little girls in KwaZulu-Natal to know that if I can do it, so can they," said Lalela as she arrived.
During her homecoming celebration, Lalela also addressed the matric class of 2021 at the KCDM Matric Awards and travelled to the Royal House to visit King Misizulu ka Zwelithini, who gave the young Zulu girl a very warm welcome. The King also spoke highly of Lalela who is from a small KZN village called Sokhulu Village. He also referred to Lalela as an ambassador for Zulu people and if he could, he would take her on an overseas trip to show her off to the world.
The diva encouraged the matriculants to venture into entrepreneurship to create more opportunities for themselves and their communities. “I want every matriculant to aspire to be an employer as opposed to being an employee. It is time we stopped waiting for seats to be allocated to us, and we start building our own tables not only for our benefit but from the communities from which we stem. Let us encourage a culture of entrepreneurship. The world needs more dreamers, change-makers and action makers, and today, I stand before an audience comprising exactly that. You all have the ability to create your own employment opportunities, so do not wait for them to come to you,” said Mswane.
On day two of the tour, she went on a morning safari at Mfulawozi Wilderness. On her last day, Mswane travelled to her birthplace for a homecoming event at KwaSokhulu Sport Ground. Later on she visited the Inanda Newtown Comprehensive High School in partnership with Sun International and Sibaya Casino as she ended her warm and overwhelming tour.