South African model Tshego Gaelae has made history by winning the 40th Mrs. World pageant, which took place in Las Vegas, USA. Her victory marks a significant achievement for South Africa, as she becomes the first Black woman to be crowned Mrs. World in the pageant’s history.
A Historic Win for South Africa
Gaelae’s triumph was met with overwhelming joy and support, both in South Africa and across the global pageantry community. Sri Lanka’s Ishadi Amanda was named first runner-up, while Thailand’s Ploy Panperm secured the second runner-up position.
Following her crowning, Gaelae took to Instagram to share her gratitude, writing:
“To God Be The Glory🙌🏽👑🇿🇦🙏🏽. Thank you so much for the love and support, I am beyond grateful and elated! My beautiful South Africa, the crown is coming home.”
Mrs. World: A Prestigious Pageant for Married Women
Mrs. World is a globally recognized beauty pageant exclusively for married women. Founded in 1984, the competition aims to celebrate the intelligence, elegance, and achievements of women who balance their personal and professional lives while being role models in society.
South Africa Celebrates Gaelae’s Victory
The organization behind Gaelae’s participation, Mrs. South Africa, also expressed their pride and excitement in a heartfelt social media post:
“From Soweto to Vegas and now the World, @mrsworldpageant The Crown is Coming Home! Thank you to everyone who supported our Queen on her incredible journey.
Thank you to the @mrsworldpageant organization and judges for everything you do, and for seeing our queen and her brilliance. What an honor to have a South African queen as the 40th Anniversary Mrs. World and the first-ever Black Mrs. World.”
Beauty Pageant Rivalry Between South Africa and Nigeria
Gaelae’s victory comes at a time when South Africa and Nigeria have intensified their presence in international beauty pageants.
In 2024, Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, made history as the first Nigerian and first West African woman to finish as the first runner-up in the Miss Universe 2024 competition held in Mexico City in November.
Adetshina also won the title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, but her journey was not without controversy. She faced scrutiny over her South African citizenship, leading to her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant. Following this, she was invited to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant, which she won.
This situation fueled discussions about the growing rivalry between South Africa and Nigeria in global beauty pageants, as both countries continue to produce world-class beauty queens who dominate international stages.
A Proud Moment for South Africa
Tshego Gaelae’s historic win at Mrs. World 2024 adds another feather to South Africa’s beauty pageant legacy. Her victory not only brings prestige to the country but also serves as an inspiration to women worldwide, proving that grace, ambition, and perseverance can lead to global recognition.
With the crown now on South African soil, Gaelae is expected to use her platform to empower women, advocate for social causes, and continue making a positive impact globally.
Leave a Reply