Reigning Miss South Africa 2021 Lalela Mswane has been identified as one of the favourites at the 13th Miss Supranational competition.
The pageant takes place tonight (July 15) at the Strzelecki Park Amphitheatre in Nowy Sącz, Poland, where Chanique Rabe of Namibia will crown her successor at the end of the event.
Mswane’s national costume – which pays tribute to her Zulu heritage – was designed by Cape Town based Lloyd Kandlin, the director of the Costume Department. He was responsible for creating the costume worn by Miss South Africa 2019, Zozibini Tunzi, who went on to be crowned Miss Universe that year.
“This is a very special costume. I am not just representing South Africa, I am also an ambassador for the Zulu people and have taken their support, love and blessings to Poland with me as well,” says Mswane.
Her crown is made of beaded braids and represents the power of black women, whose strength – like Samson in the biblical story – lies in their hair. “This super-strength is being reclaimed by black women across the globe as they honour and respect their natural hair,” says Kandlin.
“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. The costume was inspired by the vibrant colours and designs of South African prints”, adds Kandlin.
He also used traditional beading techniques and incorporated a femine silhouette using a beaded corset and long flowing skirt to “turn Lalela into a beautiful African Queen”.
SA Positive News
