The newly crowed Miss SA Mia le Roux expressed that she never thought someone like, who is differently-abled would become a Miss SA titleholder, in her acceptance speech on Saturday 10 August.
MIA LE ROUX CROWNED MISS SA 2024
The newly crowned Miss SA Mia le Roux made history as the first-ever differently-abled Miss SA in history. Natasha Joubert passed down her crown to Mia on Saturday 10 August at the end of the finale of the pageant, held at the SunBet Arena, Times Square in Pretoria.
After catching her breath, Mia expressed that she is humbled and grateful to be crowned Miss SA.
“With a humble and grateful heart, I accept the incredible responsibility of being your Miss South Africa 2024. It is an honour that fills me with immense pride and gratitude, and I am deeply touched by the trust and confidence that South Africa has placed in me,” she said in her acceptance speech.
Mia, who was diagnosed with hearing loss at the tender age of one, said that she never thought a girl like her – who is differently-abled – would hold the Miss SA title.
“As a little girl I never would have thought that someone like me could become Miss South Africa. It is extremely powerful what this could mean to other little girls – that even if you have something that makes you different, you still can achieve your dreams with determination and hard work,” she continued.
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MISS SA ON RECIEVING A COCHLEAR IMPLANT
Mia also revealed that she was blessed with a cochlear implant by her community when she was just two years old. She explained that this was lifechanging and allowed her to hear.
“At the tender age of two, I was blessed by my community with the gift of a cochlear implant. Family, friends and strangers rallied to raise funds for this operation – a life-changing opportunity that allowed me to hear. It was also the start of a long journey to listen to sound and connect with the world through speech, a journey that also has taught me to never give up,” she said.
Mia went on to reveal that her first four words were “look there, white clouds.”
“It took two years of speech therapy and continued repetition of words before I looked up to the sky one day and said my first four words: ‘Kyk daar, wit wolke – look there, white clouds,” she continued.
Now, Mia wants to give back to her community by being a voice to those who are different and felt excluded.
“Today, it is my turn to be your community, to be a voice for those who, like me, have experienced the challenges of being different and feeling excluded. I am here to serve as your representative, to champion the causes that matter to South Africans and to create a space where everyone can shine in their unique, beautiful way,” she added.