Non-profit organisation Neema Foundation for the deaf says newly-crowned Miss SA Mia Le Roux’s victory shines a spotlight on issues faced by people who have the same disability.
The 29-year-old Free State-born model was crowned Miss SA at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria on Saturday, 10 August.
NEEMA FOUNDATION FOR THE DEAF WELCOMES MIA LE ROUX’S CROWNING
In the last few years, the Miss South Africa competition has made strides toward becoming a more inclusive pageant.
In 2023, they announced that married women and those with children and disabilities were allowed to enter the competition. In addition, there are no height or weight specifications or requirements.
Le Roux who was raised in Oudshoorn in the Western Cape who was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one, made history wen she was crowned the first hearing-impaired Miss SA.
Neema Foundation chairperson Itumeleng Motaung said she agrees with Le Roux that, as a deaf woman with a cochlear implant, she represents a community that often goes unheard.
“Her victory shines a spotlight on the issues faced by the deaf and hard of hearing community, bringing them into the mainstream conversation,” she said.
Motaung said as September marks Deaf Awareness Month, the Neema Foundation urges everyone to learn the SA Sign Language, embrace the deaf community as part of mainstream society, and support deaf victims of gender-based violence.
Mia Le Roux Neema Foundation
Miss SA 2024Mia Le Roux. Image: Supplied
CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL-WISHES FOR NEW MISS SA
South Africans from all works have congratulated Mia Le Roux and have wished her well for her reign.
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie congratulated Le Roux and said he knows she will represent the country well at the Miss Universe pageant.
Media personality Nandi Madida who has an autistic daughter said Mia’s win is a gamechanger.
“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,” she wrote on X.
“As a mom of an autistic child, I’m so happy about her win … her story is of bravery and resilience .. she’s a beautiful and strong young woman , representing every child with special needs and challenging circumstances,” @Buhlelancamane also wrote on X.