On 12th August 2024, a historic moment occurred when a 28-year-old deaf woman named Mia Le Roux became the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss South Africa.

Mia’s journey has been inspiring. She was diagnosed with profound hearing loss when she was just 1 year old. To help her perceive sound, Mia has a cochlear implant. It took her 2 years of speech therapy and constant practice to speak her first word.

Mia was announced as the winner after a 23-year-old finalist, Chidimma Adetshina, withdrew from the pageant. Chidimma faced criticism regarding her Nigerian origin and allegations about her mother’s identity, leading her to step back from the competition.

Chidimma's family background became a topic of discussion in South Africa. Her father is Nigerian, and her mother is South African. Despite this, some South African citizens and even cabinet ministers questioned whether Chidimma was eligible to represent South Africa.

During her acceptance speech, Mia expressed her hope that her victory would inspire others who feel excluded from society to pursue their dreams. She also shared her desire to support those who are "financially excluded or differently abled."

In an interview after winning, Mia said, "I am a proudly South African deaf woman, and I know what it feels like to be excluded. I know now that I was put on this planet to break boundaries, and I did it tonight."

Mia’s win is not just a victory for her but also a symbol of breaking barriers and challenging societal norms.

Tags

• mia le roux
• miss south africa
• deaf

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