South Africa has withdrawn support for Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane in the Miss Universe contest to be held in Israel.
The withdrawal of the SA government’s support follows calls for Ms. Mswane to boycott the pageant, although organizers say it should not be politicized.
Reasons for the opposition is in relation to Israel’s alleged committing of atrocities against Palestinians.
According to South African campaigners, they have lived under apartheid and therefore cannot support what is going on in Israel.
In a statement, South Africa’s 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 and rejects accusations that its treatment of Palestinians amounts to apartheid.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa said that Ms. Mswane should have withdrawn for the sake of South Africa’s global standing “in comparison to a one-off event that can prove disastrous to her future and public standing as a young, black woman”.
The Miss Universe contest is set to be held on 12 December.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri