Miss SA top 16 finalist makes history by being first openly queer participant
"I am not just my orientation. I could not have come all this way to simply not be as real."
Sibabalwe Gcilitshana was announced as one of the 16 finalists in the Miss South Africa competition on 11 July in Randburg, Johannesburg.
Not only is Siba one of the top sixteen finalists but she is also the first queer Miss SA participant.
The media has been very supportive. I don’t think I am the first queer person to apply for Miss SA. Some has chosen to not disclose this because they fear it would have had an impact on how they’re perceived. I came here as I am.
She continues, '‘I am not just my orientation. I could not have come all this way simply to not be as real and live fully in a true reflection of who I am… Siba has so much more to show.’
Listen to the full Audio on Demand below.
Siba wants to inspire young women. She serves as a Parliamentary officer and researcher for Equal Education (EE), a social democratic movement striving for equality and quality in the South African education system. When she's not working, she loves singing, meditating, hiking, cooking, traveling, catching up with current affairs, self-care, spending time with her family, reading and catching up with her favourite TV series Killing Eve.
READ: Ten Miss South Africa finalists come from Gauteng
The Miss South Africa pageant – with host Bonang Matheba – takes place on Women’s Day, Friday, August 9, atSun International’s flagship venue, the Sun Arena at Time Square, Pretoria and will be broadcast live on both M-Net and Mzanzi Magic.