Rigged? Zoalize fails to make Miss World Top 40
South African pageant fans are crying foul after Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg failed to place in the Top 40 of the Miss World on Saturday, 31 May.
The law student was a clear favourite in the run-up to the finale, and she even scooped the award for best designer for her gown inspired by SA's national flower, the Protea.
Miss World – which took place in India – was won by Thailand's Opal Suchata.
Despite being hailed as a strong contender, Zoalize van Rensburg's fans were shocked when she failed to make the Top 40 or quarter-finals.
The first round saw over 100 contestants being whittled down to just 40 finalists – ten for each continental region.
Africa's finalists were Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Namibia, Nigeria, Somalia, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Ultimately, Ethiopia's Hasset Dereje was crowned Miss World Africa. Opal Suchata later became the first Thai representative to be crowned Miss World.
On social media, pageant fans were shocked that many of their favourites – particularly South Africa's Zoalize – had not made the cut.
Pageant enthusiast @the_pageant_prince was shocked at South Africa's exclusion, posting,' Zoalize was loved and the winner on so many pages. And to not make the Top 40, what? It's just not possible!'
Others like @ntsxki called out Miss World for essentially rigging the pageant, posting, 'They're eliminating the competition for their pre-determined winner'.
Another, @meli0.2 added of Zoalize being snubbed: 'Daylight robbery'.
While Miss World South Africa has not officially commented on Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg's early exit, franchise owner Carol Bouwer did repost a telling message from a pageant fan account.
It read: 'Today's outcome was deeply disappointing. I know that many people are expecting an outrage from us. But I do hope that we will keep calm and accept the Miss World organisation's decision.
'Speaking ill will not only reflect on us bad as a country. But mess up chances for other representatives in the future'.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 .
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