Mia le Roux has become the first deaf contestant to be crowned Miss South Africa in a finale enmeshed in controversy.  

In her acceptance speech, le Roux said she hoped her win would help those who feel left out, hoping they can achieve their “wildest dreams, just like I am.”

She also wanted to support those who are “financially excluded or differently abled.” Her victory follows tFirst deaf Miss South Africa crowned amid controversy over finalist’s heritage

he withdrawal of finalist Chidimma Adetshina, over her Nigerian heritage heritage and accusations about her mother’s identity.

Le Roux, 28, was diagnosed with profound hearing loss when she was a year old and  had a cochlear implant surgery. She overcame significant challenges, including two years of speech therapy to speak her first words. After her historic win, she expressed her pride as a “South African deaf woman” and remarked, “I know what it feels like to be excluded,” emphasizing that her purpose was to “break boundaries” and she achieved that with her victory.