Despite not receiving support from the government and South Africans, Lalela Mswane went ahead with her childhood dream of becoming Miss Universe.
This is understandable because she is not obliged to halt her dream(s) just because some people are against it. It is something that she’s always wanted, and now that it’s finally happening, she had to seize the moment.
Even if it means going to Israel, an apartheid state, where more than 200 people, including 66 children and 40 women in Gaza, were killed by the Israelis.
The challenge is that, for her to make it to the finalists, she needs people to vote for her. The votes must come from people who are active on social media. And it’s social media users who were against her decision of going to Eilat, Israel, where Andrea Meza, of Mexico, will crown her successor at the end of the event.
Earlier this month, the chief executive of the Miss South Africa organisation Stephanie Weil called the people against Mswane’s participation in Israel, bullies.
“A very, very small, but extremely vocal, group had attempted, and failed, to derail Mswane’s chances at the prestigious international pageant.
“Anyone who wants to rob Lalela of her moment in the spotlight is unkind and short-sighted. She is the shining beacon for young women everywhere, showing them that being beautiful – while being clever and educated – is very possible.
“We are not a political organisation, and the Miss Universe pageant is not a politically inspired event,” said Weil.
On Monday, November 29, also known as International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Weil asked the social media users to vote for Mswane.
“There are only 2 weeks left until the 70th @MissUniverse competition! Download the @MissUniverse app and vote for @Lalela_lali to make it into the semi-finals!” read a tweet from the official Miss South Africa Twitter profile.
There are only 2 weeks left until the 70th @MissUniverse competition! 🤩😱
— Miss South Africa (@Official_MissSA) November 29, 2021
Download the @MissUniverse app and vote for @Lalela_lali to make it into the semi-finals! ✨
Click on the link to vote!https://t.co/xhotBOPAUR#lalela #missuniverse #misssa2021 pic.twitter.com/rAxIH13UOT
Tweeps responded to the request sent by the Miss SA organisation, and many were not keen on voting for the Richards Bay beauty.
“Since when do you need public votes for these things? Don't they have their own judges? Because we, as a country, have already judged her,” commented Vaxx-seen Barnes.
Another Twitter user, @lesegotriumph commented: “Lol, you want the bullies to vote? Must be crack.”
However, on Instagram, things seem to be promising. Some vowed to vote for her, while others were not keen.
“I have voted, and I’m still gonna (going to) vote for my Queen,” commented @urlander_janya.
Below are more reactions from tweeps about voting for Mswane.
No. I won't vote for an Apartheid apologist. She can buy multiple simcards and vote for herself.
I stand with Palestine. https://t.co/cEW8yw3Kyq pic.twitter.com/rB0rofsMZz
Shame man, why are they putting the poor young woman through this?
— X (@MalumXilaman) November 30, 2021
I wonder how much autonomy she actually has regarding the decision to go take part in this event.
What does Miss SA stand for if her values are divergent to those of her government and majority of its civilians? https://t.co/T3ymanKXgd
you need the nation who doesn’t support you for votes 🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/pFOP4YxUnB
— laa’iqah (@laaiqahhh) November 30, 2021
"First vote is free, but you know who isn't 'free'? PALESTINE " https://t.co/k61UFBCLl9
We're not getting your stupid app bro https://t.co/emruAsno3i
— Manzi (@ClixWell) November 29, 2021