Miss South Africa 2024, Mia le Roux, recently confirmed that she will proudly represent the country at the prestigious Miss Universe pageant in November. Reported by IOL, during the Miss South Africa and L’Oréal Worth In Progress brunch, presenter Abigail Visagie asked Le Roux if she would be headed to the international stage, to which she responded, “I will be representing South Africa at the Miss Universe pageant,” sparking applause from the excited crowd.
Le Roux, who is making history as the first deaf Miss South Africa and the first deaf contestant in Miss Universe 2024, shared her gratitude for the opportunity. “It is special to have the opportunity to take my message to a global stage, because I believe the message I have is actually relevant globally and I am really grateful to have that opportunity and I cannot wait to represent us,” she said.
At the brunch, Le Roux emphasised the importance of her message, which champions inclusivity and challenges societal barriers. “For me, it’s truly important, as I know how it feels to deal with that kind of exclusion. I don’t believe that anyone deserves to be left behind. Everyone deserves to have a space where they feel seen and heard,” she explained.
She passionately addressed the need for empathy and compassion, calling on those who are included in society to advocate for the marginalised. “We, as the included, have the capacity and power to help others feel seen and heard… We need to think about the communities we don’t consider—the marginalised, the excluded—because they are human beings with hopes and dreams.”
Le Roux’s personal journey has been a beacon of inspiration, especially to people living with disabilities across the country. As she prepares for the Miss Universe pageant on November 16 in Mexico City, her message of inclusion and visibility continues to resonate with many.
The historic competition at Arena CDMX will mark a significant milestone, as Le Roux aims to break barriers and inspire others on the world’s biggest stage.
