Celani Sikhakhane
Coming home for the first time since she was crowned Miss SA and second runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant, Lalela Mswane was overwhelmed by the warm reception she received from her home province of KwaZulu-Natal.
On Friday, Mswane received a hero’s welcome from the IFP-led municipality in King Cetshwayo District and at the King Shaka International airport.
Mswane defied calls from the South African government and activists not to participate in the Miss Universe pageant held in Israel in December.
The call was made in solidarity with Palestine, a region that has close ties to the ANC.
The government opposes Israel’s occupation of Palestine and Israeli authorities’ oppressive treatment of its citizens.
Mswane said the trip to participate in Miss Universe was a lifetime opportunity for her.
She also accused her critics of attacking her because she was an easy target.
On Sunday Mswane visited King Misuzulu kaZwelithini at KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace.
It was a humbling experience to receive such a warm welcome, she said.
“I’m truly excited to be returning back home after the immense support I’ve received during my reign and the build up to Miss SA and Miss Universe competition, particularly because we haven’t had the crown in KwaZulu-Natal since 2008, so it just makes it that much more special,” said Mswane.
“And for little girls in KwaZulu-Natal to know that if I can do it, so can they,” said Mswane.
Mswane brought the Miss South Africa crown to her home province 12 years after the beauty pageant was last won by someone from KZN.
Born in 1997, she is from Mpangeni, in northern KZN.
This was her first return home after she went to Israel for the Miss Universe competition.
