Miss South Africa introduced a new element to their pageant this year – the public will be able to vote for the ‘crowd favourite’ to make the Top 10 – but they will have to pay for it
Announcing the news this week, the pageant revealed that for R20, members of the public would be able to vote for their favourite semi-finalist via the Miss SA website, Computicket or through the money market counter at any Checkers,Shoprite or Usave stores.
The voting officially opened on Thursday 25 June and will close on 16 July at 23:00.
The Top 10 would then be announced at the end of July.
But the news has not gone down well with social media users, who’ve complained about the ‘hefty’ price tag of having their voices heard.
Anele Mdoda reminded the public that although the pageant judges – comprised of herself and former Miss South
Africa title holders Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala, Liesl Laurie and Adè van Heerden – would ultimately pick 9/10 finalists, the open spot would be left for them to decide upon.
Guys you are not voting for Miss SA. You are voting for a crowd favorite to be in the top 10. Last year Chuma was the crowd favorite. The other 9 spots are placed through judging. Thank you for your conversations and passion. The girls are so excited and they are ready 🙂
— Anele Mdoda (@Anele) June 26, 2020
Tweeps responded in anger, slamming the organisation for making the process so ‘expensive’ in a time when pockets were running dry.
See what they had to say….
Between buying bread and voting… Ummmmhhhhh… 🤔
— Hlanganisa M (@hector_mbatha) June 26, 2020
But to charge us to vote in this economy sis Anele? That isn’t fair
— Little Miss Sunshine 🌞 (@SimplyGoitse_) June 26, 2020
Nonetheless, why is it so expensive? Because it still won’t be the crowd favorite, it’ll just be the girl with the richest fans.
— Zandisiwe (@zandimhlekwa) June 26, 2020
But R20 ayi no its too much
— Slindzelwe (@Slindzelwe1) June 26, 2020
We know this Anele, our question is why so much money this time around.
— Powa (@kebolaps) June 26, 2020
Some even hailed it a ‘money making scheme’…
This is a money making scheme doooon’t do it
— Philani Shange (@PhilaniShange9) June 26, 2020
So yifundraising method
— Nomfundo Mcetywa (@MaMcetywa) June 26, 2020
Miss SA has claimed that the funds raised would go towards the “upskilling, empowerment and training of the Top 10”.
