Miss South Africa 2024 – Mia Le Roux – Unstoppable Inclusion

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Miss South Africa 2024, Mia Le Roux. Mia is deaf, and she knows first-hand what if feels like to be excluded from opportunities, from the big, as well as seemingly insignificant things that many able-bodied people take for granted. Mia decided to participate in Miss SA because she did not want to feel excluded anymore and wanted to step up onto a platform for herself and others to feel included. In the winning, ‘pinch-me’, moment, when she was crowned with the Miss SA Mowana cornet, she said, that she knew it was for everyone that feels different. Part of Mia’s aspirations is to help the included make room for inclusivity. She explained some of the challenges that she experienced, such as lack of access to information, for example, watching TV for news or going to the cinema for entertainment – without captions on the screen – she has to work harder to consume this content. Growing up, after receiving a cochlear implant, Mia’s parents were concerned for her well-being and ability to cope and be independent in the world. Mia shares a few pivotal moments in her life, from the support of her family and community, to appreciating values from her mum which built her internal strength, to having ambition to live a bigger life. For example, when she moved to Cape Town, within one week she had a new car, new apartment and new job, which are testament to her determination, resilience and independence. Mia considers that for women to make more progress, as a collective we have to support each other and lift one another up. Helping others to shine doesn’t dim your light, it just makes the world brighter. She closes the conversation with the following inspiring words, “Your dream has to be stronger than your fear.” Tune in for more to hear this determined, resilient, dream-living, inspiring young woman that embodies the four pillars of Miss South Africa – duty, championship, empowerment, and beauty. #Empowerment #Resilience #Dream