Tshego Gaelae, a South African model, has won the 40th Mrs World pageant, which was held in Las Vegas, United States of America.
Ishadi Amanda of Sri Lanka was the first runner-up, and Ploy Panperm of Thailand took the second runner up.
Gaelae celebrated her victory by sharing her gratitude in an Instagram post on Friday, stating, “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, the first beauty competition for married women, was founded in 1984.
The organisation that supported her journey, Mrs South Africa, also shared in the celebration of her achievement with a social media post, stating, “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 organisation and judges for everything you do, and for seeing our queen and her brilliance. What an honour to have a South African queen as the 40th Anniversary Mrs World, and first ever Black Mrs World.”
Gaelae’s victory comes at a time of heightened rivalry between South Africa and Nigeria in the beauty pageant scene.
Chidimma Adetshina, the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria, made history as the first Nigerian and West African to secure the position of first runner-up at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant, held in Mexico City in November.
Adetshina, who was also crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, faced criticism over her South African citizenship, which led to her decision to withdraw from the Miss South Africa pageant.
Adetshina was later asked to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 competition, which she won.
The situation sparked discussions about the growing rivalry between the two nations.
