Residents in Johannesburg protest South Africa’s decision to take part in Miss Universe contest in Israel

By Murat Ozgur

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - Demonstrators protested in Johannesburg on Friday a decision by South Africa to take part in the Miss Universe pageant in Israel.

Protestors gathered in the Morningside area of ​​the city and condemned the decision to send Lalela Mswane to the competition on Dec. 16.

The group, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA), urged Mswane to boycott the contest.

The head of the PSA Youth League, Noor Ahmad, said Mswane needs to understand that she should not represent South Africa in an "apartheid state" that actively blocks women's rights in Palestine.

He noted that South African women suffered during the apartheid era and said it is not appropriate for a representative from South Africa to participate in the competition in Israel, where Palestinian women are abused.

Another protester, Zaharah Msomi, said Mswane's decision to be sent to the competition was unacceptable.

Msomi added that she was ashamed of the decision as a black woman whose ancestors fought against the apartheid regime.

It was reported that Mswane would boycott the competition in protest of Israel's "apartheid" practices against Palestinians.

But organizers of South African beauty pageants said Wednesday that Mswane will represent her country in Israel.

The decision has brought widespread reactions from residents in South Africa.