The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has announced that the government has withdrawn its support for the Miss South Africa pageant due to the event organiser’s disregard of their advice to not partake in the Miss Universe pageant in December 2021 in a media statement on Sunday, 14 November 2021.

The Department stated that the government has taken the decision to withdraw its support from the Miss SA pageant following unsuccessful consultations with the event organisers to reconsider their decision to partake in the Miss Universe pageant event set to be held in Israel during the month of December 2021.

“What during initial consultations appeared like engaging, constructive and progressive discussions, was later met with an unpleasant demeanour that is intransigent and lack appreciation of the potential negative impact of such a decision on the reputation and future of a young, black woman,” the Department said.

“The atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians are well documented and Government, as the legitimate representative of the people of South Africa, cannot in good conscience associate itself with such,” the Department added.

The Department further stated that the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, although appreciative of the likely impact on the individual interest of the current Miss South Africa, the reasons that require withdrawal from the event far outweigh individual interests. “If anything, by withdrawing, Miss South Africa’s reputation and overall standing will be far more advanced in South Africa and internationally in comparison to a once off event that can probe disastrous to her future and public standing as a young, black woman,” said Minister Mthethwa.