Reigning South African beauty queen Lalela Mswane just made history. On July 15, 24-year old Lalela Mswane represented South Africa at the 13th Miss Supranational pageant in Strzelecki Park Amphitheatre in Nowy Sącz, Poland.
In a much-sought-after competition, the South African beauty stood out from the contestants from 69 countries and was crowned Miss Supranational 2022.
Mswane is the first South African and the first woman of color to win the prestigious title.
The judges were impressed by her national costume dress that paid tribute to her Zulu heritage.
It was designed by Cape Town-based Lloyd Kandlin, responsible for creating the costume worn by Miss South Africa 2019, Zozibini Tunzi, who went on to become Miss Universe that year.
Southeast Asian countries dominated the Top 5. Miss Thailand Praewwanich Ruangthong was crowned first runner-up, Miss Vietnam Nguyễn Huỳnh Kim Duyên was second runner-up and Miss Indonesia Adinda Cresheilla as third runner-up. The only Latina to make it to the Top 5 was Miss Venezuela Ismelys Velásquez who placed as fourth runner-up.
Hailed as Continental Queens of Beauty are Miss Mauritius Alexandrine Belle-Étoile for Africa, Miss Colombia Valentina Espinosa for Americas, Miss India Ritika Khatnani for Asia, Miss Jamaica Carisa Peart for the Caribbean and Miss Poland Agata Wdowiak for Europe.
“I am overwhelmed; at the moment, it still feels surreal. I am deeply thankful to all the amazing people who have supported and uplifted me, I couldn’t have done it without them,” she said. “This title is not mine alone, it is South Africa’s.”
Mswane was crowned Miss Universe 2021 second runner-up in December last year. This August, she will be handing over her Miss SA crown to one lucky lady.
Congratulations, Lalela, on marking history with your essence, beauty and grace.
