And the 24-year-old wrote her name in the history books when she became the first openly transgender contestant in Miss South Africa. Though transgender women have been allowed to enter the prestigious national beauty pageant since 2019, the competition’s organizers confirmed to TimesLIVE that Machaba is the first openly transgender woman to make the Top 30 cut. “Everything I do as a dark-skinned, transgender woman is a statement. Machaba also told News24 she’ll love to meet transgender actress and activist Laverne Cox if she wins the ultimate prize. “I see myself in her and love what she stands for as a transgender woman, and I’m highly inspired by her ongoing advocacy for women and transgender people,” she said.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 13, 2021 12:22 UTC