Miss Universe 2021 second runner-up Lalela Mswane receives warm homecoming welcome in KwaZulu-Natal


For the first time since winning Miss South Africa in October last year in Cape Town and competing at Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Eilat two months ago, Lalela Mswane has finally touched down her province KwaZulu-Natal for a homecoming.

The 24-year-old beauty received a warm welcome upon her arrival at King Shaka International Airport last Friday, February 4. Her busy schedules included a welcome ceremony at KSIA, attending the class of 21 Matric Awards, and visiting the Inanda Newtown Comprehensive School for the handing over of a renovated consumer studies classroom.


One of the highlights of her incredible homecoming tour during the weekend was becoming the first Miss South Africa to visit the Zulu Kingdom and meeting the royal family and His Majesty, King Misuzulu Zulu KaZwelithini.


"To all our sponsors, partners, stakeholders, family, friends, community, and South Africa at large, because of you, this was a homecoming beyond my wildest imagination. I can never thank you enough for your continued support. I truly appreciate the respect, kindness, love, and generosity that has been extended to me and will forever be grateful for it. Thank you to all from the bottom of my heart," she shared on social media.


Lalela's journey to the Miss Universe 2021 competition in December was a controversial one because of the backlash she received ahead of the international pageant in Israel. She eventually went on to compete and placed second runner-up among 80 contestants.

Photos: Miss South Africa

Popular posts from this blog

Miss Grand USA 2025 is Ivana Garcia of Ohio

Image
Miss Grand Ohio Ivana Garcia was crowned Miss Grand USA 2025 in a national competition held last Monday, August 18 in Las Vegas. The 23-year-old model and entrepreneur will represent the USA at Miss Grand International 2025 in Thailand this October. She succeeds last year's winner Cora Griffen. Andrea Valentina Nunez of East Coast was named first runner-up while Rachelle di Stasio of Washington, Christianah Adejokun of Southern States, and Emely Aleman of Tennessee were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 10 were Shirley Ramirez of Florida, Perpetua Smith of New York, Janiya Pipkin of North Carolina, April Rodriguez of South, and MeKayla Burnett of West Coast. Christine Juliane Opiaza, the reigning Miss Grand International from the Philippines, attended the event as a special guest. Originally from Venezuela, the new Miss Grand USA moved to the United States at the age of 15 with a heart full of dreams and a deep love for modeling and pageantr...
Read more

Mister Global 2025 is Alejandro Ortega from Spain

Image
Miguel Alejandro Ortega Alaniz, representing Spain, was proclaimed the winner of Mister Global 2025 on Sunday, October 5 at MCC Hall in Bangkok, Thailand. The 26-year-old personal trainer and sports enthusiast from Valencia bested 35 other contestants to win the male beauty title. He succeeds Daumier Corilla from the Philippines. William Badell of Venezuela and Alejandro Silva of Mexico were the first and second runners-up, respectively. Adriano Cupaioli of France and Riley Hedstrom of the USA were the rest of the Top 5 finalists. Completing the Top 11 were from Nigeria, Victor Ngoka, Korea, Eric Kang, Laos, Youphalat Phethany, Philippines, Jether Palomo, and Uruguay, Bruno Reyes. Xiaoting Liu of Hong Kong, Sitthirak Kaewniyom of Thailand, Luigi Moron of Peru, Edrick Morillo of Puerto Rico, Shenal Adithya of Sri Lanka, Di Yan of Myanmar, Charl-Jaquairdo van Helsdingen of South Africa, Siwathep Singh Khanderpor of Canada and Lucas Laet of Brazil made the Top 20. The new Mister Globa...
Read more

Miss Universe Slovakia 2025 is Viktoria Güllová from Bratislava

Image
Viktoria Güllová was announced the winner of Miss Universe Slovakia 2025 during the reality show's final and coronation that aired on Tuesday, October 7. The 20-year-old student and model from Bratislava will represent Slovakia at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. According to Miss Universe Slovakia org, Viktoria is studying at the University of Economics and Management located in her nation's capital. Her enduring love for horses since childhood led her to a greater purpose: philanthropy and hippotherapy, where she aids children and adults in finding balance, trust, and happiness through their bond with animals. She believes that Miss Universe represents more than just physical beauty; it is fundamentally about character, empathy, and the ability to inspire and elevate others. The reality show for Miss Universe Slovakia took place at Palace Art Hotel in Pezinok. Sára Segešová, Adriana Zaujecová, and Frederika Jobková were the rest of the Top 4 finalist...
Read more

Miss USA 2025: Meet the contestants

Image
Miss USA 2025, the much-awaited 74th Miss USA pageant will be held on Friday, October 24 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. This year's competition marks the fourth occasion it will take place in Reno after 2019, 2022, and 2023. Also, this will be the first edition under the leadership of the new Chairman, President, and CEO, Thom Brodeur. The next Miss USA will head to Bangkok, Thailand to represent "the land of opportunity" at the highly anticipated Miss Universe 2025 pageant this November. Contestants representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia were selected to compete for the coveted national title. Some states simply appointed their representatives through an open call, as they were unable to hold their own state pageants. Who will succeed last year's winner Alma Cooper of Michigan? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss USA (@missusa) Meet the contestants: ALABAMA - Kennedy Whisenant ALASKA - Kelsey Craft AR...
Read more

Miss Universe Mexico 2025 is Fatima Bosch of Tabasco

Image
Fatima Bosch was crowned Miss Universe Mexico 2025 on Saturday, September 13 at Sala Placido Domingo (Conjunto Santander de Artes Escénicas) in Zapopan, Jalisco. The 24-year-old designer from Teapa, Tabasco triumphed over 30 other contestants to win the coveted national title. She will represent Mexico at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Fernanda Vázquez of Nuevo León was named first runner-up while Yoana Gutiérrez of Jalisco, Ana Ramírez of Nayarit, and Alejandra Díaz de León of San Luis Potosí were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark graced the event as special guest while former Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera from Puerto Rico was part of the panel of judges. The new Miss Universe Mexico succeeded last year's winner María Fernanda Beltrán who placed second runner-up at Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico City. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram ...
Read more

Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 is Isabela Fernandez from Brazil

Image
Isabela Fernandez was proclaimed Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 on Wednesday, October 8 at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City, Philippines. The 28-year-old model from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais beat over 40 other contestants to win the international beauty title. She became the second Brazilian woman to win Miss Asia Pacific International next to Francielly Ouriques (2017). Anita Rose Gomez of the Philippines was named first runner-up while Bowonrat Maneerat of Thailand, Jana Janssens of Belgium and Elmira Wildeboer of the Netherlands were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Beauties from Nepal, Prapti Ranabhat, Mongolia, Budsuren Baasansuren, Mexico, Mariana Garcia Trejo, New Zealand, Hannah Cross, and Peru, Michella Whillar Lazarte were the rest of the Top 10. The new Miss Asia Pacific International received her crown from former winner Sharifa Akeel (2018) of the Philippines. Her predecessor Janelis Leyba of the USA skipped the coronation n...
Read more

Sarah Leena Boujaoude to represent Lebanon at Miss Universe 2025

Image
Miss Lebanon 2024 first runner-up Sarah Leena Boujaoude has recently been officially appointed as Miss Universe Lebanon 2025. The 20-year-old fashion model and a finance student at the American University of Beirut will represent Lebanon at Miss Universe 2025. "My cause is to empower women by promoting self-acceptance and inner beauty," shared the new Miss Universe Lebanon. "In an age where unrealistic beauty standards are imposed, I urge every woman, especially young women, to appreciate themselves as they are and to believe that true beauty starts from within," she added. Sarah Leena will head to Thailand to compete in the 74th Miss Universe pageant this November. View this post on Instagram A post shared by LBCI Lebanon (@lbcilebanon) Photos: Miss Lebanon, Georges Saliba / LBCI Lebanon
Read more

Miss Russia 2025 is Anastasia Venza from Moscow

Image
Anastasia Venza was crowned Miss Russia 2025 (Miss Universe Russia) on Saturday, October 4 at the Barvikha Luxury Village Concert Hall. The 22-year-old model and medical student from Moscow edged out 49 other contestants to win the national competition. Alena Lesnyak from Kerch and Victoria Makarova from Sestroretsk were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Russia will represent her country at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this coming November. Anastasia succeeded last year's winner Valentina Alekseeva who made the Top 12 at Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by ANASTASIA VENZA💙 (@anastasia__venza) Photos: Miss Russia, Anastasia Venza / Instagram
Read more

Miss Italia 2025 is Katia Buchicchio of Basilicata

Image
Katia Buchicchio, representing Basilicata, was crowned Miss Italy 2025 on Monday, September 15 at PalaSavelli in Porto San Giorgio. The 18-year-old dentistry student from Anzi bested 39 other contestants to win the prestigious national title. Rhythmic gymnastics coach Asia Campanelli, 19, and modern literature student Fanny Tardioli, 24, placed second and third, respectively. Alessia Pelliccioni, Arianna Garofalo, Ludovica Lombardi, Alice Petagna, and Annarosa Cascone were the rest of the Top 8 finalists. Meet the new Miss Italia: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Italia (@missitalia) Photos: Miss Italia / Instagram
Read more

Kylie Chang crowned Miss California USA 2025

Image
Miss Golden State, Kylie Chang was crowned Miss California USA 2025 on Saturday, August 10 at Grand Hyatt Indian Wells. The 20-year-old UC Berkeley student and model succeeded last year's winner Samantha Ramos. She became the first-ever East Asian woman to win Miss California USA. Jenny Ting Crawford was named first runner-up while Kaylyn Slevin, Julia Price, Annie Lu, and Sophia Bruinsma were the second, third, fourth, and fifth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss California USA, a former competitive dancer, is currently pursuing a degree in business administration at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business. "This is an absolute dream come true and I am endlessly grateful for all of my family, friends, judges, sponsors, and mentors who have believed in me and walked beside me on this journey," she shared online. "This is just the beginning, and I can't wait to see where this journey leads me next," she added. Kylie will now prepar...
Read more