The 70th edition of Miss Universe was held on 12th December 2021 in Eilat, Israel where Harnaaz Sandhu of India was crowned as Miss Universe 2021. Along with Harnaaz, South Africa’s Lalela Mswane got crowned as the second runner-up at the event after Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira.
Lalela Mswane arrived back home on 15th December 2021 at OR Tambo International airport in Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa where she was received with a mixed reaction from the public. While there were some unwanted elements present at the airport, the general air was electrifying as fans awaited their queen’s arrival at Terminal A of the airport with banners of love and support in their hands.
“So, I always knew that being Miss South Africa wasn’t going to be smooth sailing. I also didn’t expect baptism and fire. So, like I was somewhere in between. I was hoping for the base but also expectant of every bad thing. I feel like I got every bad thing that became one of the most beautiful things that could ever happened to me,” Lalela shared at her homecoming press conference.
“So, when I entered, when I decided to compete at 70th edition of Miss Universe this year, it was really with the intention of to represent South Africa on the world’s biggest pageant stage and to make my contribution in the coming together of amazing women from different walks of life, different countries, in uniting to effect positive change in the causes that we are all passionate about and that we advocate for. It was an amazing experience where young ladies share their values, various advocacies rather, so much light to share on various issues affecting women globally such as patriarchal systems, misogyny, violence against women, climate change, women health issues to share a few,” she added.
“I’d love to take this opportunity to thanks my amazing family and supporters who have become my family. Being 3rd is the biggest win I could have achieved and I am extremely proud of myself,” the queen got emotional as the crowd cheered her up with an applause.
Lalela was under fire for her participation as the South African government withdrew support and urrged her to boycott the event in support of Palestinians in Israel. To which, Stephanie Weil, CEO of the Miss South Africa pageant stated, “We all know that boycotting is not necessarily going to be the way that we are going to make a substantial difference, I truly don’t believe not attending and not being able to showcase or use one’s voice and being in that country is going to be the right thing” and rest is history as Mswane not only stood her ground but became one of the winners.