New hope for SA deaf community, after Miss SA crowning

By Anita Dangazele & Rorisang Modiba

Mia Le Roux made history by becoming the first woman with a hearing disability to be crowned Miss South Africa on Saturday night. 

The new Miss SA was diagnosed with hearing loss when she was a baby. The now 28-year-old said her life’s mission has been to help other women living with disabilities realise that they are capable of so much more.

Le Roux, who was born in Sasolburg, Free State, but raised in Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has done very well for herself. Apart from being the newly crowned Miss SA, she is a marketing manager, a model, and a part-time BCom Marketing student.

Her crowning has opened a whole new conversation about the importance of representation for all women. 

Many social media users said Le Roux’s crowning is a good example for children living with disabilities.

Oh Mia, you have restored the hope of every disabled child sitting at home thinking that they are undeserving of such opportunities🥺❤️👏🏼You have rewrote the entire concept of inclusion!! My Miss SA👑🥺❤️#MissSA2024 pic.twitter.com/5rDlcOi4eQ

— Phindi (@Phindii11) August 10, 2024

My daughter who is on the autistic spectrum just witnessed Mia winning, what a moment that she will never forget. Wow! 😭😭😭🇿🇦. These onions! Inclusivity is beautiful! Congrats to all the contestants ❤️💫 #MissSA2024

— Nandi Madida (@Nandi_Madida) August 10, 2024

Mia Le Roux is the first Miss SA Winner who is deaf & has a cochlear implant. She will be the first contestant at the Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico with such a disability to take part in the competition. This is a compelling story that could make her win Miss Universe! #MissSA2024 pic.twitter.com/xMMuj7Bzgl

— Prof. Cam Modisane, Ph.D. (@DrCamModisane) August 10, 2024

#MissSA2024
To all kids/People out there living with a disability, here’s proof that you are not defined by your shortcomings but by your courage and strength, live to dream and dream to conquer…Mia well done
Queen 👑 pic.twitter.com/7Kz8QbKUEy

— Sihle (@brainzbhungane) August 10, 2024

Soweto’s Nompumelelo Maduna took the first runner-up spot, while the North West’s Onalenna Constantin was crowned the second runner-up.

This comes after weeks of controversy over the citizenship of a former Miss South Africa contestant, Chidimma Addetshina, who dropped out of the competition just days before the main event.

Pictured Above: Mia Le Roux after being crowned Miss South Africa at the Sun Bet arena in Sun City on Saturday night.

Source: Official_misssa/ instagram