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According to Times Lives, the crowning of Mia le Roux as Miss South Africa has sparked a mixed response, particularly after Nigerian singer Burna Boy mocked the outcome on social media. The criticism comes amid a larger debate about inclusivity in the pageant, especially after former contestant Chidimma Vanessa, who has Nigerian and Mozambican heritage, withdrew following questions about her suitability to represent South Africa. Sport, arts, and culture minister Gayton McKenzie responded by emphasizing the importance of a nonracial society, celebrating the progress South Africa has made in reconciliation. Le Roux, who made history as the first hearing-impaired winner in the pageant’s 66-year history, has been praised for her representation of the deaf community. Her victory is seen by many, including Deaf SA’s Western Cape director Jabaar Mohamed, as a milestone for inclusivity and a beacon of change for the country.

According to IOL, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced an investigation into Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina’s legal status due to identity fraud concerns. Adetshina’s Nigerian father and Mozambican mother have raised questions about her South African identity. An innocent South African mother reportedly had her identity stolen by Adetshina’s mother. The investigation aims to uncover officials involved in the fraud, and legal action will follow. This case underscores the need for digital modernization of Home Affairs applications and careful handling of duplicate IDs. The Patriotic Alliance is also investigating the matter, noting Adetshina was not an SA Ambassador.

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A petition to move Gayton McKenzie from the Ministry of Sports, Arts, and Culture to Home Affairs is gaining traction, The South African reports. This follows McKenzie’s concerns about Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina’s nationality. McKenzie has called for an investigation into Adetshina, whose parents are Nigerian and Mozambican. However, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has dismissed unverified social media claims. T

The petition, started by Carol Mbhalati, argues that McKenzie should be moved to Home Affairs due to his dedication to addressing illegal migration. It highlights the current Home Affairs Minister’s failures and McKenzie’s effective track record. At the time of writing, the petition is close to reaching 5,500 signatures. Additionally, there are petitions to remove Adetshina from the Miss SA pageant and to oust Lerato Kganyago as a Miss SA judge.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has confirmed that his department will not violate Miss SA 2024 finalist Chidimma Adetshina’s privacy amidst questions about her citizenship, The South African reports. Despite being born in Soweto and meeting all pageant requirements, her eligibility was questioned due to her parents’ Nigerian and Mozambican origins. Schreiber emphasized that both Chidimma and her mother are considered South African citizens by law and criticized the social media uproar as baseless. He stressed that Home Affairs would only investigate if formal, evidence-based complaints are filed, and highlighted that the department is acting with the consent of those involved to verify information without breaching privacy laws. Organizations like the EFF and SAFTU have defended Chidimma against the social media backlash.

Image credit: Chidimma Adetshina, Instagram

South African rapper Da L.E.S is recovering in a public hospital in Johannesburg after suffering a stroke, Scrolla reports. Initially treated at a private hospital, his mother and friends are now asking for donations to cover his medical bills. Despite his condition, he is showing a fighting spirit. His significant contributions to South Africa’s entertainment industry highlight the community spirit of ubuntu, encouraging support in times of need.

Several Grade 8 pupils at Pinelands High School in Cape Town have been suspended following a racist incident where they “auctioned off” their black classmates, captured in a viral video, News24 reports. The school’s governing body and the Western Cape education department are investigating the incident, with support provided to the targeted pupils. This incident, along with a separate alleged racism case at Table View High School, has sparked outrage and calls for thorough investigations and the implementation of diversity programs. The SA Democratic Teachers Union and the ANC in the Western Cape have condemned the incidents, emphasizing the need to address racism in schools and promote an inclusive society.

South African athletes will receive a bonus of R400,000 for winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with silver and bronze medals earning R200,000 and R75,000 respectively, TimesLive reports. The South African team for Paris 2024 comprises 140 athletes, the second-largest team after Tokyo 2020, where they had 179 participants. These athletes will compete in 19 different sports, continuing the trend from Rio 2016 and Beijing 2008, which had 138 and 136 athletes, respectively.

Image credit: TeamSA, X

Dive deeper into the complexities surrounding the emergence of the MK party and its implications for South Africa’s political landscape by completing our informative quiz.

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

CEO and cofounder at DigsConnect; the largest student housing platform in Africa, Alexandria Procter, 30, is possibly one of the most influential young people in the world. She was appointed to the board of directors for the National Youth Development Agency by the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa in November 2021. Procter is a director at the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative – the youngest director on both boards.

The Fuse caught up with the young entrepreneur to discuss the importance of voting in the elections, especially for young people. But first, she shared her own experience of voting for the first time.

“I turned 18 in 2011, and the next national election was in 2014, and the local elections were in 2016. I’ve always been quite active in civic spaces, politics, and have a keen interest in public affairs, so I voted in both and rallied my peers to vote as well. I take voting very seriously, and it was incredible to participate and be a part of democracy,” Procter reminisced.

The Gqeberha-born woman stressed that young people must vote, because they are the ones inheriting this country and the world. “Our lives, freedoms, and opportunities are completely shaped by the leaders we vote in. Our future is our choice.”

She admits one of the reasons young people might not be keen on voting is the confusion of not knowing who to vote for. “Vote for a party first and foremost with clean audits in the areas where it governs. As a very basic starting point, you can’t have a government that steals from its citizens. Next, vote for a party that is actually delivering results, and not excuses, in the jurisdictions where it governs. Ask yourself: ‘Which party is creating jobs, bolstering the economy, investing in infrastructure? And which party is creating destruction and collapse where it governs?’ It’s pretty clear then,” she concluded.

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