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 Cosmo 2025 is Yolina Lindquist from the USA

Image
Miss Cosmo USA Yolina Lindquist beat 70 other contestants to win the Miss Cosmo 2025 pageant on Saturday, December 20 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The 22-year-old from Illinois was crowned by her predecessor Ketut Permata Juliastrid from Indonesia. She became the first ever American woman to hold the international beauty title. Chelsea Fernandez of the Philippines finished as runner-up while Gabriela Borges of Brazil, Myint Myat Moe of Myanmar, and Italy Mora of Panama were the rest of the Top 5 finalists. Completing the Top 10 were the contestants from Colombia, Dayana Cárdenas, Cuba, Amys Nápoles Ochoa, Thailand, Chotnapa Kaewjarun, Vietnam, Hoang Phuong Linh Nguyen, and Zimbabwe, Lisa Sibanda. Beauties from Cambodia, Sreypii Phorn, Dominican Republic, Delisa Francisco, Ecuador, Alexandra Mina, Germany, Chloé Ëlyse, Greece, Ioanna Sarantopoulou, India, Vipra Mehta, Indonesia, Salma Ranggita, Laos, Christina Lasasimma, Mexico, Angela Yuriar, New Zealand, Katharina Weischede, and ...
Read more

Miss Turkey 2024: Idil Bilgen wins Miss Turkey World 2024

Image
Idil Bilgen was crowned Miss Turkey World 2024 during the Miss Turkey 2024 national final on Wednesday, September 11 at the Lazzoni Hotel in Istanbul. The 24-year-old medical doctor bested 19 other competitors to win the national title. She will prepare to represent Türkiye at the 72nd Miss World whose date and venue have yet to be announced. Cemre Üker clinched the Miss Turkey Supranational 2024 crown and will head to Poland to compete in Miss Supranational 2025 next summer. Aylin Molla, Melissa Öykü Yorulmaz, Candan Şeviktürk rounded out the Top 5 finalists. Miss Turkey World 2022 Nursena Say, Miss Turkey Universe 2022 Aleyna Tacirin and Miss Turkey Supranational 2022 Selin Erberk Gurdikyan relinquished their reigns at the end of the event. Meet the new Miss Turkey World: View this post on Instagram A post shared by missturkey.official (@missturkey.official) Photos: Miss Turkey / Instagram
Read more

Miss France 2026 is Hinaupoko Devèze from Tahiti

Image
Hinaupoko Devèze from Tahiti was crowned Miss France 2026 on Saturday, December 6 at the Zénith d'Amiens in Amiens, Hauts-de-France. The 23-year-old model bested 29 other contestants to win the prestigious national pageant. She succeeds Angélique Angarni-Filopon from Martinique. Juliette Collet of Nouvelle-Calédonie was named first runner-up while Victoire Dupuis of Normandie, Naomi Torrent of Guadeloupe, and Déborah Adelin-Chabal of Roussillon placed second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 12 were Lou Lambert  of Languedoc (fifth runner-up), Alice De Lima Guimaraes of Auvergne (sixth runner-up), Luna Maiolino of Côte d'Azur, Aloïce Sejotte of Limousin, Ynès Lallemand of Champagne-Ardenne, Mareva Michel of Île-de-France, and Emma Boivin of Picardie. The new Miss France was born in Papeete, on the island of Tahiti to a French father and Polynesian mother. She became the sixth representative from French Polynesia to become Miss France. Before winnin...
Read more

Miss Universe Finland 2025 is Sarah Anjelica Dzafce

Image
Sarah Anjelica Dzafce bested nine other contestants to win Miss Suomi 2025 (Miss Universe Finland 2025) on Saturday, September 6 at Hybridiarena Hype in Espoo. The 22-yer-old fashion model and former competitive gymnast from Kuopio will represent Finland at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Tara Lehtonen and Julianna Kauhaniemi were announced as the first and second runners-up, respectively. Janette Keski-Jyrä was awarded as the crowd favorite. The new Miss Suomi was crowned by her predecessor Matilda Wirtavuori who made the Top 30 and clinched the Miss Universe Europe & Middle East title at Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico. "My heart is full of gratitude - to all of you who have been a part of this journey, encouraged me and believed in me. This crown is not just mine, but it belongs to all of us who dare to dream big and work for it," Sarah shared online. "I promise to give my all this year. I want to show that Miss Finland can b...
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 Turkey 2024: Meet the Top 20 finalists

Image
A total of 20 finalists have been selected to compete for Miss Turkey 2024 following an elimination round held on Wednesday, September 4 in Istanbul. The grand final will take place on September 11 at the Lazzoni Hotel and the winners are expected to represent Turkey at the next Miss World and Miss Supranational pageants. No competition was held last year and this year's upcoming final will be the 42nd edition of the annual national pageant. In May, the Miss Turkey Organization headed by Can Sandıkcıoğlu officially announced that it parted ways with the Miss Universe Organization after more than 40 years. Its last representative was Aleyna Şirin who competed in Miss Universe 2022 which was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA in January 2023. The national organization that achieved Turkey's first Miss World winner courtesy of Azra Akın (Miss Turkey and Miss World 2002) will continue to send contestants to Miss World and Miss Supranational. Who will become the next Miss Turkey? ...
Read more

Miss Universe 2026 host country and venue officially announced

Image
The Miss Universe Organization has officially confirmed that Puerto Rico will be the host country for the Miss Universe 2026 pageant. Puerto Rican politician Jenniffer González Colón also made an announcement in a conference held on Tuesday, September 23 in San Juan. The 75th Miss Universe edition will be held in November 2026 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, the largest indoor entertainment and sports arena in Puerto Rico. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark was present at the conference alongside former winners from Puerto Rico — Deborah Carthy-Deu (1985), Dayanara Torres (1993), Denise Quiñones (2001), and Zuleyka Rivera (2006). Next year's competition will be the fourth Miss Universe edition to take place in Puerto Rico after 1972 (Dorado), 2001 (Bayamón), and 2002 (San Juan). Contestants from 135 countries and territories around the world are expected to compete for the crown. Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and unincorporated U....
Read more

Miss Universe Venezuela 2025 is Clara Vegas of Miranda

Image
Clara Vegas triumphed over 21 other contestants to win the title of Miss Universe Venezuela 2025 on Thursday, December 4 in Caracas. The 23-year-old model and actress from Miranda will represent Venezuela at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant to be held in Puerto Rico. Maria Evangelista Alayon of Amazonas was named first runner-up while Milena Paola Soto of Mérida, Gabriela de la Cruz of Yaracuy, and Gabriela Villegas of Monagas were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 12 were the representatives of  Barinas, Anabelly Ojeda, Bolívar, Yosdanny Navarro, Delta Amacuro, Kelly Maita, Dependencias Federales, Valentina Martínez, Portuguesa, Génesis Mendoza, Sucre, Rosangel Mundaraín, and Táchira, Valeria del Amor. The new Miss Universe Venezuela was crowned by her predecessor Stephany Abasali who placed second runner-up at Miss Universe 2025 last month in Thailand. Clara is the daughter of former Miss Venezuela Andreína Goetz who made the Top 10 at...
Read more

Miss Universe 2025 schedule of events and activities

Image
Thailand, the "Land of Smiles" is all set to host over 100 beautiful and remarkable women from different countries and territories around the world to compete in the Miss Universe 2025 pageant. According to the Miss Universe Organization, the theme for this year's event is "The Power of Love," which celebrates love as a force that empowers, breaks barriers, and inspires positive change across the world. Here are the schedule of events and activities: Nov 2 - Delegate Arrivals (Registration / Shooting / Fitting / Rehearsal) Nov 3 - Nov 4 - Registration / Shooting / Fitting / Rehearsal Nov 5 - Rehearsal, Official Press Conference & Sashing Ceremony Nov 6 - City Tour in Bangkok Nov 7 - Delegates Departure to Phuket Nov 8 - Kora Beach Resort Gala Dinner Nov 9 - Yona Beach Club Nov 10 - Carnival Magic / Parade Nov 11 - Phuket Cultural activities Nov 12 - Departure to Pattaya City Nov 13 - Rehearsal Nov 14 - Swimsuit Fashion Show: Columbia Picture Aqua...
Read more

Miss Universe Guadeloupe 2025 is Ophély Mézino

Image
Former Miss World France Ophély Mézino was crowned Miss Universe Guadeloupe 2025 in a special coronation ceremony held on Saturday, July 12. The 26-year-old model succeeds last year's titleholder Coraly Desplan and will now prepare to represent Guadeloupe at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Ornella Millitie was named first runner-up while Océane Millitie, Judith Brumant-Lachoua, and Madly Marian were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Guadeloupe is no stranger to pageantry, having won Miss Guadeloupe 2018 and went on to win first runner-up at Miss France 2019. Ophély then represented France at the 69th Miss World competition in London and placed second among 111 contestants. She was also awarded the continental title of Miss World Europe. In a recent post on social media, she wrote: "Six years spent growing in other ways. Creating, learning, falling, rising." "Today, I choose to return to where it al...
Read more