Mia le Roux has made history as the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss South Africa, following a highly contested competition. In her acceptance speech, Le Roux expressed her hope that her achievement would inspire others who feel marginalized to pursue their dreams. She emphasized her commitment to supporting those who face financial barriers or have different abilities.
Mia le Roux, 28, who has been profoundly deaf since age one and uses a cochlear implant, shared that it took two years of speech therapy before she could speak her first words. Reflecting on her win, the model and marketing manager said, “I am a proudly South African deaf woman, and I understand what it means to be excluded. I believe I was put here to challenge limits, and I accomplished that tonight.”
During Mia’s acceptance speech, she said: “With a humble and grateful heart, I accept the incredible responsibility of being your Miss South Africa 2024. It is an honour that fills me with immense pride and gratitude, and I am deeply touched by the trust and confidence that South Africa has placed in me. As a little girl I never would have thought that someone like me could become Miss South Africa. It is extremely powerful what this could mean to other little girls – that even if you have something that makes you different, you still can achieve your dreams with determination and hard work.”
“At the tender age of two, I was blessed by my community with the gift of a cochlear implant. Family, friends and strangers rallied to raise funds for this operation – a life-changing opportunity that allowed me to hear. It was also the start of a long journey to listen to sound and connect with the world through speech, a journey that also has taught me to never give up. It took two years of speech therapy and continued repetition of words before I looked up to the sky one day and said my first four words: “Kyk daar, wit wolke – look there, white clouds.”
“Today, it is my turn to be your community, to be a voice for those who, like me, have experienced the challenges of being different and feeling excluded. I am here to serve as your representative, to champion the causes that matter to South Africans and to create a space where everyone can shine in their unique, beautiful way.”
Mia was awarded R1 million in cash as part of her prize, along with a sponsorship package that features a year-long stay in a serviced apartment at the luxurious Brookfield at Royal in Kensington, developed by Tricolt. The package also includes homeware and accessories from Woolworths Home, stunning furniture from Schönn, and the use of a Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé for the next 12 months.
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