Cape Town — With 60 years of running time, the Miss SA competition has finally made a mark with its first ever hearing-impaired winner Mia le Roux.
Reflecting on this milestone, media personality Nandi Madida has taken to her timeline with an emotional message celebrating the victory.
As reported by TshisaLIVE, Nandi is the mother of two neurodivergent children (one who has ADHD and one who is autistic), hence she has taken to Instagram to express the profound significance of Roux’s win for her family and beyond.
She highlighted how this win should not only be dubbed as a global-front game changer but also — simply a game changer for children who are in crucial need of representation.
“As a mother to a beautiful girl who is on the autistic spectrum, getting to watch Mia @mialerouxx who is deaf & has a cochlear implant win Miss South Africa with my daughter is a moment I will forever cherish 🥹❤️. Not only is it a game changer for the world, but one for the little kids out there who didn’t think it was possible. Inclusivity matters 🫶🏽. Congrats Mia and to all the Miss South Africa contestants 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦❤️” she wrote.
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With inclusivity taking centre stage, Nandi isn’t alone in celebrating this trailblazing moment for individuals honing disabilities. Many South Africans have also shared words in support of the Miss SA winner and the strides she’s made in the competition for her cause.
Comments quickly started flooding in under the media personality’s post, with many sharing in her pride and noting their personal experiences with life through a disabled lens.
Take a look at some of these heartfelt comments:
@teenah.nojaholo: “This win hits home.My son has Down syndrome and this assured me that Disability doesn’t limit you❤️.My son can be whatever he desires to be one day arghhh I love this🥹😭❤️. Special Mom’s you are doing a great job and God will never forsake us,because he trusted each and every special parent out there to bring a special human being who will be a game changer in their own world🤍.”
@lonarode: “Love to you and your family Nandi. I wish my late sister was here to witness a Queen being crowned with a cochlear implant after she passed away before hers was installed. This would have motivated her after she lost her hearing from TB treatment. Mia’s win is my family’s win too. May she win Miss Universe too♥️🥰💐.”
@shibs_7: “I cried😢😢GOD gave Neurodiversity a big HUG tonight…Mia was confident, answered her question well she represented well”
@nazorama: “❤️ this win touched a lot of parents with special kids. My heart is beaming at the inclusivity. Slowly but surely, the world around us is coming to realise that your differences in being, are definitely not your limitations. I’m so glad I can show my son real examples of people proving that there are endless possibilities for us all out there. ❤️”
@likhapa_masupha: “Iyoooh my child has a condition called delayed development and it’s about time the world recognize everyone who has a special condition. 🙏”
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Picture: Instagram/@nandi_madida
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Compiled by Lauren Petersen
