Miss South Africa top 12 finalist, Levern ‘Donatella’ José has withdrawn from this year’s competition, after bullying allegations surfaced online. Several people, claiming to be her former high school classmates, have accused her of being part of a bullying squad several years ago.
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“The Miss South Africa Organisation does not condone bullying of any kind,” the Organisation said in a press statement. “We accept Levern’s decision to pull out of the competition and respect her for owning her truth and taking this time to focus on her own healing,” it revealed.
The organisation and its CEO, last week, told News24 that they had “no comment” on the bullying accusations.
‘I am human; the pressure has been immense’…
“As a survivor of bullying, I learned how to protect myself from bullying during my school years,” the 23-year-old Kimberley native said in a press statement. “If my actions in protecting myself caused harm to anyone, I offer my sincere apologies. The pain of being a target has left an indelible mark on my heart, and I would never intentionally cause hurt or contribute to someone else’s suffering,” she further explained.
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Miss Lavern is not the first Miss South Africa contestant whose past came back to haunt her. 2020 contestant, Bianca Schoombee withdrew her claim to the crown after racist and crude tweets she made years ago surfaced. Tweets she made when she was 14 years old.
All forms of abuse and bullying are unacceptable and have no place in our society
José is reportedly being supported by the Miss South Africa Organisation’s mental health partner, the South African Depression And Anxiety Group (SADAG). They are providing counselling to her.
“All forms of abuse and bullying are unacceptable and have no place in our society. Please know that I am determined to work against bullying and to bring about wider awareness about this issue,” Miss Levern continued in her statement.
‘I would never intentionally cause hurt’…
She continues to assure her “unwavering” stance to uphold “what is right and just”. “I am human; the pressure has been immense and has taken its toll on me. Together, let us strive for fairness and compassion in all our interactions with others,” she said.
“Bullying is a complex issue with a multitude of underlying causes,” explains SADAG spokesperson, Cayley Jorgensen. “All forms of bullying are harmful and unacceptable. It is essential to acknowledge the profound impact bullying has on the mental health of everyone involved”, she adds.
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Jorgensen reveals that 57% of children in the country experience bullying during their school years. She says the consequences of this – beyond the immediate impact – see survivors carry “emotional scars into adulthood”.
