Halala, Lalela

UP alumna Lalela Mswane has been crowned Miss South Africa 2021, making UP the home of two consecutive Miss SA titleholders and proving that at UP you walk away with more than a degree. You walk away with the confidence and skills to face the world.

University of Pretoria (UP) alumna Lalela Mswane was recently crowned Miss South Africa 2021. The 24-yearold hails from KwaSokhulu in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal and graduated from UP with a Bachelor of Law degree in 2020.

The Miss South Africa pageant was held on Saturday 16 October 2021 in Cape Town and Mswane won R1m in cash and other prizes worth R3m.

“I’m not a ‘pageant’ girl,” she told the Sowetan after her victory. “But that’s why I think it’s important for people to stop seeing Miss SA as a mere beauty pageant, which is why I often shied away from pageantry. Miss SA is an empowerment platform for women, and could be a launchpad for so many other opportunities.”

Through her Miss SA campaign #BeReady, Mswane plans to put the spotlight on youth employment.

My campaign focuses on youth employment from the perspective of no longer waiting for opportunities from the state, but instead empowering the youth by providing them with entrepreneurial skills to take charge economically.

UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe said Mswane’s victory is testament that at UP you do not just walk away with a degree, but with confidence and skills, ready to face the world. “Congratulations, Lalela, we are all proud of you, and we are confident that you will make an impact during your reign,” he said. “As a UP graduate you are an ambassador of this institution. Represent us well out there, and continue to FLY@UP! Your message on the importance of entrepreneurship as a pathway to a fulfilling life resonates strongly with UP, which runs a free online entrepreneurship course for all students, a Centre for Entrepreneurship, and our business incubator TuksNovation."

Being rejected by clients in the modelling industry was really hard. Patience and a mentality shift helped me bounce back. Rejection helped mould the resolute lady I am today, and my indomitable will to succeed is fortified each time I'm told "no".

Young people suffer self-esteem and body-image issues today more than ever. They constantly subject themselves to comparison and always feel like they fall short of societal standards of beauty. This, I believe, is among the leading causes of bullying and depression in a lot of young people.

My mother is my greatest role model. She is the greatest giver of love, patience, kindness, affection and support. She never fails to extend grace even when she experiences injustice. If I could be only half the woman she is, I would truly be one great woman. I also find inspiration in the late actress, Audrey Hepburn. She was a classic beauty and style icon, and always radiated effortless elegance yet what made her the most beautiful was her philanthropy.

Courtesy: Channel 24