Black beauty queen who represented South Africa at Miss World during apartheid dies aged 76

Trailblazer Cynthia Shange, regarded in South Africa as the first black woman to represent the country in the prestigious Miss World beauty competition at the height of apartheid, has died aged 76.

Her daughter Nonhle Thema shared the news of her passing “with a heavy heart”, as she paid tribute to her mother and her “compassionate” soul. “Please keep my family in your prayers during this difficult time,” she wrote on social media.

Hailed as a pioneer for her efforts on the international stage, Shange was also a formidable actress with a career spanning decades.

The former beauty queen passed away early on Monday morning in hospital following an illness, according to local media.

Thema’s Instagram post also contained a celebration of life poster, with a short tribute, accompanied by a smiling photograph of Shange.

“A graceful and compassionate soul whose presence brought warmth, dignity, and kindness to all those who knew her,” it read, adding: “We honour her journey, her strength, and the love she shared so generously.”

Details of her funeral are to follow soon, the post said.

Born Cynthia Philisiwe Shange on 27 July, 1949, she rose to prominence in the 1970s when she represented South Africa at the Miss World pageant.

 

At the time, black women were not allowed to compete in Miss South Africa – due to the racist system of apartheid – and instead created their own parallel competitions such as Miss Africa South, which she won.

In 1972, Shange competed in Miss World in London, alongside the white Miss South Africa participant, coming fifth.

While she was the first black woman to represent South Africa at the beauty paegent, she was not the country’s first non-white contestant.

Two years earlier, Pearl Gladys Jansen had also competed as Miss Africa South, sparking a huge row at the contest, also held in London.

However, according to the racial classifications used during apartheid South Africa, she was “coloured” – of mixed racial origin. These racial categories are still used in South Africa today.

After competing in Miss World, Shange went on to become a well known film and television actress.

Her notable works include Udeliwe, regarded as one of South Africa’s first black feature films, and the historical drama Shaka Zulu.

In 2024, she was awarded Life Time Achiever at the KZN Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards for her contribution to acting.