Social media reacts to Shudufhadzo Musida’s ‘game changing’ Miss SA win

Moments after the glittering Miss SA crown was placed on Shudufhadzo Musida’s head, messages congratulating Mzansi’s new queen began to flood social media feeds.

The 24-year-old from Ha-Masia in Limpopo beat out the nine other finalists to claim the sought-after title on Saturday when the pageant’s grand finale took place at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town.

Thato Moselle and Natasha Joubert were named the first and second runners-up respectively.

As Musida was also the winner of this year’s controversial public vote — whereby people were invited to pay to propel their fave contestant into the top 10 — it’s not surprising that many South Africans seemed thrilled with the Miss SA judges’ decision to award her the crown.

Here’s a snapshot of the reactions:

A black , bald , curvy, venda girl is Miss SA . Do you guys understand what a game changer this is ?😭😭😭 #MissSA2020 pic.twitter.com/RQWnXjyGEw

— BONFIT (@BonoloMaphutha) October 24, 2020

It's not only about her beauty 😘😍😍even her speech she really nailed it#MissSA2020#MissSA#ShuduForMissSA#MissSALive pic.twitter.com/cVJDJeojlk

— I'm N Kay Cee (@CeeNkuna) October 24, 2020

My god she did it❤️❤️❤️😭😭😭😭
Miss SA 2020 Africa love you, a true queen a beauty. We love you and good luck on your journey. You deserve it👑#MissSA2020 pic.twitter.com/JGL0FLhAkl

— Wellford (@WELLYNWON) October 24, 2020

Broke all the beauty stereotypes. thick,curvaceous, bald and dark #MissSA2020🌸💖💕💞also very well spoken 💕👑💞🌸Congratulations Queen 👑 you really deserve the title 🌸 pic.twitter.com/uMAdAaOut8

— SELINAH (@SELINAH21236369) October 24, 2020

Given Musida’s choice of hairstyle comparisons between the shaven-haired Venda beauty and natural hair champion Zozibini Tunzi were inevitable.

After all, the latter shattered beauty stereotypes when she won the 2019 Miss SA pageant, and later Miss Universe, while sporting her now famous signature fade:

Last year our Miss South Africa had a fade .. This year she has a chiskop ! Come Through SA !!!#MissSA2020

— Danilo (@odedanilo) October 24, 2020

#MissSA2020
SHUDU!!!👑✨ I feel seen, I feel heard, I feel REPRESENTED!! You inspire so many young, curvaceous Black women like myself. What you have done speaks volumes. You carried Zozi’s baton to the next level. BLACK CHILD : IT. IS. POSSIBLE.

— Aphiwe Mdluli🇿🇦 (@aphiwe_mdlulii) October 24, 2020

Aaaah vho Shudu! Redefining beauty once again! Congrats our #MissSA2020 pic.twitter.com/hYccXgvmDj

— Mathapelo Khokhone (@Miss_Khoks) October 24, 2020

… Your skin is not only dark, it shines and it tells your story! You wear your hair with pride and we love it. #MissSA2020 pic.twitter.com/DFCxfmIxzJ

— The boy of your dreams 🧚🏾‍♂️ (@sipho_sphola06) October 24, 2020

Interestingly, Musida says that it was Tunzi who first inspired her to enter Miss SA “because of her grace and her ability to make a statement without straining her voice”.

Musida gratefully acknowledge all those who had supported her on her journey to claim the crown in her acceptance speech, saying “It took an entire village to get me here and I would like to thank all of you for being my village. I stand here … with immense pride and joy to be representing such a beautiful nation — one of the first Venda women, but certainly not the last, to become Miss SA”.