Mzansi has been up in arms after it was confirmed that Miss SA Lalela Mswane would be taking part in Miss Universe that is set to take place in Israel next month.
Since the announcement that the global pageant would take place in Israel, there have been calls for South Africa not to participate due to the current political climate.
This included former president Nelson Mandela’s grandson Inkosi Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela who urged South Africans to boycott the Miss Universe.
In a press statement Mandla Mandela congratulated Lalela on her crowning.
However, after learning the location of the Miss Universe event, he called on her and all former Miss South Africa winners to boycott the event in protest at the, “occupation and the cruel treatment of Palestinians at the hands of apartheid Israel regime”.
“There is nothing beautiful about occupation, brutality and institutionalised discrimination against the Palestinian people,” said Mandla.
He added that the brutal punishment and harassment meted out to Palestinians daily was horrific, detestable and a crime against humanity.
Radio personality DJ Warras seems to have a different opinion.
Taking the to Twitter, the Gagasi FM radio jock responded to the backlash Miss SA was receiving for competing in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant and said: “Miss SA & Organisers must NOT be bullied into taking sides in 100 year conflicts.
“She has earned her crown and has a right to live her dream and compete for Miss Universe!
“This nonsense that we have to take sides in conflicts that have nothing to do with us. Mandela told them in 92.
Tweeps quickly jumped in to rag Warras for his statement with many pointing out the late former president’s stance was clear regarding the conflict in Israel.
The world icon’s had openly supported the Palestinian struggle.
No. You are loud and wrong. In instances of oppression and human rights violations one must take a side. Had the world continued to ignore South Africa during Apartheid, your life as you know it would have been completely different. The Miss SA team must account. https://t.co/Fv5AHYGbxv
— Mrs N ❤️ (@LeratoMannya) November 8, 2021
Warras, you’re always on the wrong side of things. Don’t you get tired of constantly being wrong? https://t.co/QusxN46C6P
— Mpumz Ngwenya (@MpumzNgwenya) November 8, 2021
Lord grant me the confidence of cishet men to be so boldly loud and wrong. https://t.co/r4a3VyNTc1
Funny you should mention Nelly M. He actually experienced the impact of sanctions and boycotts from the international community to bring down oppressive regimes. 😀 https://t.co/VhYIUKwRGk
— Spiyoyo (@SadieJTorquato) November 8, 2021
https://t.co/G1JfcsbvxW pic.twitter.com/wybAyMIPHU
— ZA (@samethotty) November 8, 2021
Sorry which Mandela is this? Because Nelson stood with the Palestinian people https://t.co/scYaqFp9iL
In a statement sent to IOL Entertainment, Miss SA organisers confirmed that Lalela “will be representing South Africa at Miss Universe at the end of the year”.
Furthermore, Miss South Africa Organisation CEO Stephanie Weil said that she was aware there were statements indicating that Lalela had pulled out but that these were completely unfounded and untrue.
“We are not a political organisation and the Miss Universe pageant is not a politically inspired event,” she said.