- For the third successive year, transgender women are eligible to enter the 2021 Miss South Africa pageant.
- Says CEO of the Miss South Africa Organisation Stephanie Weil: "Since we took over the competition, our goal has been to be more inclusive and embracing of all members of society."
- Stephanie also tackled why women who have been married or have children cannot enter the Miss South Africa pageant.
Since the Miss South Africa Organisation bought the license to the Miss South Africa pageant in 2019, transgender women have been able to enter and compete for the country's most sought-after beauty pageant prize.
For the third successive year, transgender women are eligible to enter the 2021 Miss South Africa pageant. However, to be eligible to compete internationally, the contestant must be in possession of a valid South African ID document reflecting their gender identity alignment.
Says CEO of the Miss South Africa Organisation Stephanie Weil: "Since we took over the competition, our goal has been to be more inclusive and embracing of all members of society. The world is finally opening up to the changing beauty standards and understanding that beauty is not a one size fits all. We hope that the Miss South Africa Organisation will continue to play a role that can act as a catalyst to this. Miss South Africa will continue to recognise the innate potential in all young South African women and will provide both the tools and the platform to augment and shape this inbuilt talent into a leader who embraces her self-worth while inspiring others and creating a real social impact."
Stephanie believes that this change has garnered so much interest this year because of the current transgender hate/phobia felt all over the world.
Earlier this year, former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi took to social media to pay tribute to Miss Spain 2018 Angela Ponce, the first-ever transgender woman to compete at Miss Universe.
She said: "I just recently learnt that violence against trans people has surged 266% from last year. They deserve to live a life as humane, happy and free as any other person. Stop with the violence! I'm going to say this in case it has not been clear. Trans rights are human rights."
Stephanie also tackled why women who have been married or have children cannot enter the Miss South Africa pageant.
"At the moment, there is no global pageant governing body and, to an extent, leading international pageants that we send Miss South Africa winners to dictate pageantry standards. However, we hope to become thought leaders in the industry, and this we can achieve by starting somewhere. Our ultimate goal is that women in South Africa can identify and see themselves reflected in those who enter the competition. This is why we host the pageant - we give a powerful and relevant leadership platform to young women," she said.
Entries for Miss South Africa 2021 will close on 24 June at midnight. All details and entry forms are under Miss SA 2021 on the official website: www.misssa.co.za.
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