‘Take a stand’: Fikile Mbalula tells Lalela Mswane NOT to go to Israel
Fikile Mbalula has waded into the controversy surrounding Miss SA Lalela Mswane and her trip to Miss Universe next month in Israel.
But instead of wishing her well in a send-off, the minister of transport has begged her not to go.
He also pledged his allegiance to the people of Palestine by “standing in solidarity”.
FIKILE TELLS LALELA MSWANE: ‘DON’T GO TO ISRAEL’
Fikile Mbalula tweeted his plea to the Miss SA winner – who is set to soon leave for Eilat, Israel for the Miss Universe pageant – posting: “Take a stand, history will be on your side, you will be remembered forever and ever use your power.
“Don’t go to Israel. We are supporting you as our golden girl”
He added: “Lalela Mswane dont go to Israel you lose nothing you gain more”.
Fikile also took aim at the Miss Universe organisers.
“The organizers of Miss Universe are to blame, why Israel ? Over so many countries . WE stand with the people of Palestine. Solidarity forever”.
Neither Lalela nor Miss SA organisers have responded to Fikile Mbalula’s tweets.
PROTESTS OUTSIDE MISS SA ORGANISATION OFFICE
Meanwhile members of human rights organisation Africa4Palestine led a protest march outside the Miss SA organisation office on Friday
Bram Hanekom of the organisation told Independent Media: “We are not a small group. We are South Africans.
“If Miss South Africa proceeds to participate in apartheid Israel, she will be representing the company Nine-Squared that owns Miss South Africa. She will be Miss Nine-Squared not Miss South Africa.
The protest was joined by another NGO; Young Hearts for Palestine, whose member Nazleyleila Limbada lambasted Lalela Mswane as “delusional”.
Sounds coming out of the streets of Sandton today in support of Miss SA boycotting Apartheid Israel
Because there is #NoBeautyInApartheid
Posted by Africa4Palestine on Friday, 19 November 2021
She added to Independent Media: “We are protesting today because we believe it is unethical for a South African woman of colour to go to Israel which is an apartheid State. Miss South Africa says she stands for children and women’s rights. She is educated enough to use Google to find out what is actually happening in Israel at the moment.
“From what we have read, Miss South Africa seems to think that she will go there and make some changes. I think she is deluding herself if she that way.”
Last week the department of arts and culture announced that they would be withdrawing their support to the Miss SA pageant and Lalela Mswane.
ALSO READ: ‘Follow your heart’: Ex Miss Iraq gives Lalela Mswane advice [watch]
