The annual ceremony was held at the Grand Arena, Grand West in Cape Town. And Lalela was crowned by former Miss SA Shudufhadzo Musida.
More than just a title
As part of her success, the 24-year-old from KwaZulu-Natal receives an R4 million prize package. This includes R1 million in cash, the use of a fully-furnished apartment at Central Square Sandton, and a Mercedes Benz C-Class Sedan for the year of her reign.
The two runners-up were Moratwe Masima from Gauteng who is a qualified doctor, and Zimi Mabunzi from Eastern Cape who is a BCom Law degree student. Both contestants received R175 000.
Lalela shows her gratitude
At the crowning moment, it was clear that Lalela was overcome with emotion as her name was being called.
“I really wasn’t expecting it, which is why I started crying. I was so shocked because I was already so fulfilled and blessed to have made top three. So, for me, this is genuinely just the cherry on top,” Lalela commented in an interview moments after being crowned.
On Sunday the newly appointed Miss SA took to social media to express her gratitude by thanking the country for “embracing [her] so warmly”. And she concludes the post by saying “my heart is overflowing with gratitude”.