South African model Tshego Gaelae has been named the winner of the 40th Mrs World pageant, which took place in Las Vegas, USA. Sri Lanka’s Ishadi Amanda was declared the first runner-up, while Thailand’s Ploy Panperm claimed the second runner-up spot.
In her celebration post on Instagram, Gaelae expressed her heartfelt thanks, stating, “To God Be The Glory. Thank you so much for the love and support, I am beyond grateful and elated! My beautiful South Africa, the crown is coming Home.”
Mrs World is recognized as the first beauty pageant for married women, established in 1984. The organization that backed her journey, Mrs South Africa, also celebrated this milestone on social media, saying, “From Soweto to Vegas and now the World, @mrsworldpageant The Crown is Coming Home! Thank you to everyone who supported our Queen on her incredible Journey.
“Thank you to the @mrsworldpageant organization and judges for everything you do, and for recognizing our queen and her brilliance. It’s a great honor to have a South African queen as the 40th Anniversary Mrs World, and the first ever Black Mrs World.”
Gaelae’s victory comes amidst heightened competition in beauty pageants between South Africa and Nigeria. In 2024, Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina made history as the first Nigerian and West African to achieve first runner-up at the Miss Universe 2024 competition held in Mexico City in November.
Adetshina, who also earned the title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, faced criticism regarding her South African citizenship, which led to her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant. She was later invited to compete in the Miss
Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant, which she won. This situation has sparked conversations about the increasing rivalry between the two nations.