Audio By Carbonatix
Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane, has finished second runner-up in the Miss Universe contest held in Israel.
The annual pageant was won by Miss India, Harnaaz Sandhu, with Paraguay's Nadia Ferreira finishing as first runner-up.
South Africa’s government withdrew support for Ms Mswane in the contest, to protest against Israel's treatment of Palestinians, although organisers said the pageant should not be politicised.
The arts and culture ministry said that "the atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians are well documented" and it could not "in good conscience associate itself with such".
Israel has in the past denied committing atrocities against Palestinians.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa said that Ms Mswane should have withdrawn for the sake of South Africa's global standing.
The pageant has tweeted a video of the moment Miss South Africa was announced the second runner-up:
The second runner up is...South Africa! #MISSUNIVERSE
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 13, 2021
The 70th MISS UNIVERSE Competition is airing LIVE around the world from Eilat, Israel on @foxtv pic.twitter.com/xOtBjXiN8i
Latest Stories
-
Bridgerton star on dealing with One Piece casting backlash
12 minutes -
Woman charged with attempted murder after shooting at Rihanna’s home
23 minutes -
Ho Nurses Training College mounts pressure on UHAS to release its facilities
34 minutes -
140 suspects, 27 dockets – Kwakye Ofosu says ORAL is already delivering results
44 minutes -
Cabinet approves special tribunals to tackle corruption and illicit wealth cases
1 hour -
Ghana Immigration Service rescues 73 from abuse in an anti-fraud operation
1 hour -
EOCO freezes ¢1.5bn in assets linked to corruption investigations – Kwakye Ofosu
2 hours -
Wildlife to replace historical characters on British banknotes
2 hours -
China and North Korea to resume passenger train service after 6-year halt
2 hours -
Meghan to headline ‘girls’ weekend’ in Australia for 300 women
2 hours -
ORAL: We won’t manipulate judiciary for political ends – Gov’t spokesperson
3 hours -
Critics wrong on ORAL speed – Kwakye Ofosu lists arrests and asset seizures
3 hours -
Congo Republic’s Sassou set to extend long rule, focus on succession
5 hours -
At least six dead in Switzerland bus fire
6 hours -
GH¢50m frozen in Wontumi’s accounts – Gov’t spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu reveals
6 hours