The Miss Intercontinental South Africa organisation has been plunged into controversy as former finalists have come forward to reveal mistreatment, abuse and last minute cancellation that left them in shock.
Following the abrupt cancellation of the grand finale just days before it was scheduled to take place on September 7, a former employee claimed that this was not the first time such an issue has occurred.
The organisation, however, insists that the finalists failed to meet key competition requirements, leading to the finale being called off.
One of the finalists, who did not want to be identified, said they felt betrayed and was disappointed by how the organisation handled things.
She said they were left confused and frustrated by the organisation’s last-minute decisions.
The contestants allege that the ticket-sale requirements, which they were told were crucial to their progression, was poorly communicated.
“We only received the notice about the finale and fundraising targets at the last minute. Initially we were told that the finale was going to be in October but we were shocked that the organisation suddenly changed dates,” said the finalist.
She added that they felt like they were being set up by the organisation to fail.
The cancellation letter, sent on just days before the finale, left the finalists in shock.
According to the organisation, the reason for cancelling was that only two of the 12 finalists met the fundraising target by the August 30th deadline.
But the contestants argue that this deadline was sprung on them unexpectedly and was different from what was initially stated.
“The contract we signed said the deadline is September 30th, not August. We were coerced into accepting this new date without a proper chance to voice our concerns,” one of the finalists added.
In response to the allegations, the Miss Intercontinental South Africa organisation defended its decision to cancel the finale.
They outlined a series of tasks given to the finalists as part of the competition’s progression criteria, including a charity challenge, media challenge, sponsorship hunt, and fundraising efforts.
“These activities are vital for selecting a winner who can represent the pageant’s values throughout the year,” the organisation said.
“The finalists were informed of the rules and deadlines, and only two met the final fundraising requirement by August 30th. We gave them multiple chances, but ultimately, the majority failed to meet the obligations they had signed on for.”
The organisation further emphasised that despite the contestants’ failures, they opted to refund the money for late fundraising submissions, even though the contracts clearly stated that all fees were non-refundable.
“We have upheld our side of the agreement, provided guidance, and communicated regularly through weekly online meetings. Unfortunately, only a few showed the necessary commitment,” they added.
The finalists disputed the organisation’s claims of proper communication and support.
Another finalist added that there was no real guidance or support.
“We were told to find sponsors as far back as July, but they had not even reached out to the sponsors themselves by September. How were we supposed to meet those expectations when the organisation did not do their part,” she said.
She said promises were made by the organisation to provide updated contracts and clearer instructions throughout the competition, but these promises were never fulfilled.
“They kept saying they’d send new contracts, but they never did. We were left in the dark,” she added.
She further said when some of the girls raised concerns about this, they were berated in a meeting and verbally abused.
“They told us we were the worst group they’d ever had. We had gotten used to that kind of treatment,” she said.
Another finalist added that the organisation’s claims of fairness were far from the truth.
“The organisation should not lie. We were disrespected and bullied throughout the process.”
She also expressed a belief that the pageant may have already had favourites among the contestants:
“It feels like they already knew who they wanted in the Top 3, and now they’re shifting the blame onto us. They don’t want to be held accountable for their own actions.”
She added that pageantry is more than just the crown but It is about woman empowerment and embracing one another’s unique talents, character and so much more.
“Miss Intercontinental SA initially started from a good space, however, as time went. Wolves stripped their sheep’s skin! The platform no longer lived by what they said they are,” she said.
She further said the disrespect and expectations that were not communicated beyond what was written on contract, was totally unfair to use that against them.
A former employee of the Miss Intercontinental South Africa organisation also came forward, confirming that this is not the first time such issues have occurred.
The ex-employee, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that internal mismanagement has plagued the organisation for years, with contestants often being left frustrated by inconsistent communication and unmet promises.
“I was not surprised when I heard the finale was cancelled,” the former employee said.
“This has happened before. They have had a history of mismanagement, and it’s always the contestants who suffer in the end. I had a feeling something like this was going to happen again this year.”
For the contestants, the grand finale cancellation has not just been a logistical failure but also an emotional blow.
They said they had invested heavily in the competition paying for professional photo shoots, custom-made gowns, and hours of preparation for interviews and appearances.
The cancellation has left them grappling with financial losses and emotional scars.
“Pageants are supposed to be about empowering women,” said one finalist. “Instead it feels like we were exploited. We were told to sell tickets and secure sponsors, only to have it all ripped away because of deadlines that were never clear.”
She added that her anger for what has been done to them has subsided, but learning how this sort of treatment is not an isolated event is more infuriating.
“I am angry for the girls who will be potentially victimised, for those who will be “dared to dream” just to have those dreams mismanaged. I hope that the organisation and everyone involved will hold themselves accountable and apologise , something that has not been done nor considered, to the women who were harmed by their actions,“ she added.
She said this was not about one of them not getting a crown but how they were treated.
“We want to hold them accountable for the way they have run this competition. Something has to change,” she said.
Pretoria News
lesego.montsho@inl.co.za