Emotional Mia le Roux from Cape Town won Miss South Africa 2024.
Emotional Mia le Roux from Cape Town won Miss South Africa 2024.The 28-year-old, who was the first differently-abled finalist in the history of the Miss South Africa pageant, worked full-time as a marketing manager for a startup company prior to entering the competition. She is also studying a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing part-time at Unisa.
An overwhelmed Le Roux expressed her delight in wearing the Mowana (“Tree of Life”) crown from Nungu Diamonds. She received R1 million in cash as part of her prize and sponsorship package, which includes the use of a serviced apartment at the lavish Brookfield at Royal in Kensington, developed by Tricolt, for the year of her reign, along with homeware and accessories by Woolworths Home and furniture by Schönn. She will also drive a Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé for the next 12 months.
In her acceptance speech, Le Roux said, “With a humble and grateful heart, I accept the incredible responsibility of being your Miss South Africa 2024. It is an honor that fills me with immense pride and gratitude, and I am deeply touched by the trust and confidence that South Africa has placed in me. As a little girl, I never would have thought that someone like me could become Miss South Africa. It is extremely powerful what this could mean to other little girls – that even if you have something that makes you different, you still can achieve your dreams with determination and hard work.”
Le Roux shared her inspiring story, explaining how at the age of two, she was blessed by her community with the gift of a cochlear implant, which allowed her to hear and connect with the world through speech. She expressed her commitment to using her platform to advocate for change and inspire others, particularly those who have experienced the challenges of being different and feeling excluded.
Stephanie Weil, CEO of the Miss South Africa Organisation, congratulated the new queen, stating,
“Mia embodies the Miss South Africa Organisation’s ethos that if you can dream it, you can achieve it. She also embraces and personifies the organisation’s four pillars – duty, championship, empowerment and beauty, so I can think of no-one more fitting to wear the crown and we can’t wait to see what she achieves during her reign.”
The pageant finale was broadcast live on S3 and streamed internationally on the Miss South Africa app. The all-female judging line-up included notable figures such as Rolene Strauss (winner of Miss South Africa and Miss World 2014), actress Leandie du Randt, former Miss South Africa Jo-Ann Strauss, Queen of Soweto Lerato Kganyago, and actress Thembi Seete. Bonang Matheba hosted the event, which featured performances by Jesse Clegg, Kamo Mphela, Lebo Mashile, Zoë Modiga, and sign language activist Andiswa Gebashe.
