South Africa wins Miss Supranational 2022

Lalela Mswane was crowned Miss Supranational 2022 at the end of the pageant, staged on July 15, 2022 at the Strzelecki Park Amphitheater Nowy Sącz, Poland. The representative of South Africa bested 69 other contestants to succeed Miss Supranational 2021, Chanique Rabe of Namibia. The South African beauty Lalela Mswane has created history by being the first woman from her country to win the Miss Supranational titl and by becoming the first woman of colour from SA to clinch the title.

The Miss South Africa organization took to Twitter to celebrate Lalela Mswane’s beautiful victory.

Mswane strutted down the stage in a stunning national costume designed by Cape Town-based Lloyd Kandlin, director of The Costume Department. Kandlin said the outfit paid homage to Mswane’s Zulu heritage and included a crown, made of beaded braids, which “represents the power of black women, whose strength, like Samson in the biblical story, lies in their hair. The idea with the costume was to find a balance in the chaos of our everyday lives, which is why I’ve used a vibrant print but carefully balanced it in perfect symmetry.”

Said Mswane after the pageant: “I am overwhelmed; at the moment, it still feels surreal. I am deeply thankful to all the amazing people who have supported and uplifted me, I couldn’t have done it without them. I want to thank the organisers of Miss Supranational, the Polish people, all my fellow contestants, the Miss South Africa Organisation and my South African fans. This title is not mine alone, it is South Africa’s victory.”

Mswane is daughter of Late Muntu Mswane who was a diplomat and minister in South Africa. She is a Law graduate at the LLB University of Pretoria, but she works as professional model, representing by Alushi Models as Professional Model. She founded Lalela Foundation striving to empower the youth to soar beyond the boundaries that life has placed before them.

Not new to the pageantry, shewas crowned Miss South Africa 2021 and won the opportunity to represent South Africa at Miss Universe 2021 where she placed as the second runner-up.

The 2022 Miss Supranational 2022’s court included –

1st runner-up – Praewwanich Ruangthong (Thailand)

2nd runner–up – Nguyen Huynh Kim Duyên (Vietnam)

3rd runner-up – Adinda Cresheilla (Indonesia)

4th Runner-up – Ismelys Velásquez (Venezuela)