On the evening of Saturday, 10 August, the crowning of Mia Le Roux as Miss SA 2024 generated mixed responses among South Africans.
While many celebrated her victory, a vocal faction of the public strongly felt that Soweto’s Nompumelelo Maduna deserved the title more. This sentiment quickly spread across social media platforms, stirring up a lively debate.
An array of dedicated fans of the runner-up, Nompumelelo Maduna, flooded social media to express their dissatisfaction with the pageant’s outcome. One fan, @HazalFalconn, tweeted, ‘Mia is great, but Nompumelelo was supposed to win, she was robbed.’
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Such strong opinions were common, especially among those who had closely followed ‘Crown Chasers,’ a show on which Maduna had performed exceptionally well, consistently remaining in the top three for multiple weeks.
Adding to her impressive record, the 28-year-old Maduna had also made it to the top five in the Miss SA 2019 pageant.
The announcement of the Miss SA 2024 winner spurred a plethora of reactions on X (formerly known as Twitter). One user, @_Nomalungelo_M, remarked, ‘Mia’s been my fave since the boxing shoot because she is stunning!
That, however, does not change the fact that they played in Nompumelelo’s face tonight.’ Another user, @Skolfioi, chimed in with, ‘Real because Nompumelelo was supposed to get that crown, but congratulations Mia.’
Despite the varying opinions, there was a shared undercurrent of congratulations towards Mia Le Roux from Maduna’s fans, albeit tinged with a sense of disappointment. @Boitursa expressed, ‘Nompumelelo, I’m hurt. Congratulations to Mia.’
Nompumelelo Maduna she’s the True Winner. pic.twitter.com/lpx0olIiY2
— Vote MK Party (@MxolisiThango) August 10, 2024
Nompumelelo Maduna was robbed
Retweet if you agree #MissSA2024 Bonang Lerato Kganyago Thembi Seete Tyla Pearl Thusi pic.twitter.com/W0vrderEQ7
— IG:Joy-Zelda (@joy_zelda) August 10, 2024
They did Nompumelelo so dirty 😭#MissSA2024 pic.twitter.com/IiUaO264oq
— Mondli (@M_o_n_d_z) August 10, 2024
Nompumelelo Maduna was robbed
Retweet if you agree #MissSA2024 Bonang Lerato Kganyago Thembi Seete Tyla Pearl Thusi pic.twitter.com/WMjKitKka5
— Nothando Mabhena 🇿🇦 (@AfricanTrollZW) August 10, 2024
Justice For Nompumelelo Angekhe.The Girl Was Robbed#MissSA2024 pic.twitter.com/RhUe7Yv2nZ
— 🏳️🌈Sihle Bester🇿🇦 (@sihle_bester) August 10, 2024
I’m sorry but Nompumelelo Maduna was robbed tonight. I love Mia, but my heart is shattered 💔#MissSA2024#MissSouthAfrica#MissSA pic.twitter.com/qk7cA2kiyL
— L U H (@Luh_Tsele) August 10, 2024
I thought Nompumelelo would take it, but Mia, you have a beautiful story to tell, and that’s what really matters. The world needs to hear it.
Watch out Miss Universe, this one is one to watch!!!!!! #MissSA2024
— Lee-Roy Wright (@LeeRoyWright) August 10, 2024
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Debates on the worthiness of pageant winners are not uncommon, and the case of Miss SA 2024 adds another chapter to this ongoing saga. Was Nompumelelo Maduna truly ‘robbed,’ or did Mia Le Roux rightfully earn her crown?
Well, the Miss SA 2024 pageant has concluded, but the conversation around it continues, proving just how passionate South Africans are about their beauty queens and the fairness of their victories.
