The South African government withdrew its support for the Miss South Africa pageant after the organizers decided to participate in the Miss Universe pageant being held in Israel in December 2021. Despite discussions, the organizers were unwilling to reconsider. The government cannot support the event due to Israel's well-documented human rights abuses against Palestinians. While acknowledging the personal impact, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture believes withdrawing is better for Miss South Africa's reputation and standing than participating in the event in Israel.

1. Media Statement
14 November 2021
South African Government withdraws support for Miss SA Pageant
The South African government withdraws its support and that of South Africa for the Miss South
Africa pageant following the latter’s intransigence and disregard of advice against partaking in the
Miss Universe pageant scheduled to be held in Israel during the month of December 2021.
Following unsuccessful consultations initiated by the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, it has
proven difficult to persuade the Miss SA pageant organisers to reconsider their decision to partake in
the Miss Universe event scheduled to be held in Israel during the month of December 2021. What
during initial consultations appeared like engaging, constructive and progressive discussions, was
later met with an unpleasant demeanour that is intransigent and lacking appreciation of the potential
negative impact of such a decision on the reputation and future of a young black woman.
The atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians are well documented and Government, as the
legitimate representative of the people of South Africa, cannot in good conscience associate itself
with such. In an attempt to demonstrate what partaking in Miss Universe means for South Africans
and many others across the world, the Miss SA pageant organisers were referred to Archbishop
Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s views following his visit to the area. Indicating that Israel was guilty of
the apartheid treatment of Palestinians, he said, “Their humiliation is familiar to all black South
Africans who were corralled and harassed and insulted and assaulted by the security forces of the
apartheid government.”
Whilst appreciative of the likely impact on the individual interest of the current Miss South Africa,
the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture strongly believes that reasons that require withdrawal far
outweigh individual interests. “If anything, by withdrawing, Miss South Africa’s reputation and
overall standing will be far more advanced in South Africa and internationally in comparison to a
once off event that can prove disastrous to her future and public standing as a young, black woman.”
explained Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
“Our first preference was to try and find each other so as to issue a joint media statement. This has
regrettably been unsuccessful, hence the decision now to publicly distance Government and the
people of South Africa from Miss SA pageant organiser’s stance on this matter”, said Minister Nathi
Mthethwa. “But even so, we still hope some common sense will prevail in the interest of the reigning
queen, Lalela Mswane; and we remain open for discussions in that regard.”