Transgender women from South Africa have clinched a key victory in a bid for equality, as the Miss South Africa Organization announced in their Instagram Story that they will be allowed to compete in the pageant.
LGBT people in South Africa have the same rights as non-LGBT people. The country was the fifth country in the world, and the first—and, to date, only—in Africa, to legalise same-sex marriage.
The Alteration of Sex Description and Sex Status Act allows people in South Africa to apply to have their sex status altered in the population registry, and consequently to receive identity documents and passports indicating their gender identity. The law requires the person to have undergone medical or surgical treatment.
Last Miss Universe 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand, Angela Ponce of Spain made history as the first transgender contestant.
Miss South Africa 2019 will be held on August 9 at Sun International’s Sun Arena at Times Square, Pretoria. The national pageant has had an impressive few years on the international stage. Reigning Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green was first runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant last year, while Rolene Strauss was crowned Miss World in 2014.