Dylan Bettencourt
Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, the deputy mayor of Jerusalem, has praised Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane for bravery for attending the Miss Universe pageant.
The annual beauty pageant has been tainted with controversy since it was announced that the 70th edition of the event was to be held in Israel, a country that continues to occupy Palestinian territories and has been accused of comitting crimes against the people of Palestine.
“I thank #MissUniverse South African contestant Lalela Mswane for speaking truth to power and not just being a beautiful but a very brave lady,” Fleur tweeted.
The deputy mayor is in charge of all foreign relations, international economic development and tourism affairs.
Fleur’s tweet received major criticism as many in South Africa called for Mswane to boycott the event.
“Getting a lot of South African hate messages since posting about Miss Universe. All I can think about are the groups that come to Israel from SA expecting to see apartheid and being very confused when they don’t see it and experience racism from Palestine instead,” the Jerusalem mayor responded on Twitter.
Miss South Africa was urged to boycott the event for political and Covid-19 reasons as the threat of the Omicron variant derailed travel in and out of the country.
Mswane was granted permission to travel to Israel for the event set to be held on Sunday.
“I express my deepest gratitude for the overwhelming love I’ve received this week,” Miss SA posted on Instagram.
The South African government withdrew their support for Mswane last month adding that she will not be representing South Africa but she will represent the organisation of Miss SA instead.
“By withdrawing, Miss South Africa’s reputation and overall standing will be far more advanced in South Africa and internationally compared to a once-off event that can prove disastrous to her future and public standing as a young black woman,” said Minister of Culture, Nathi Mthethwa.
Image source: @IOL
