Miss SA finalist under fire over claims of school bullying

JOHANNESBURG – A Miss SA top 12 finalist has came under fire after her alleged past resurfaced on Twitter.

Levern José (23) from the Northern Cape was accused of being a “bully and a mean girl” on social media by someone claiming to be a former schoolmate.

@AnelisaJu took to social media to share her surprise and disappointment upon hearing that José had made it to the top 12 finalist lineup.

I was shocked to learn you made it to the top 12 in Miss South competition, one of the girls you use to bully at school spoke out on what you and your gang of mean girls did to her on her whatsapp status, you are truly a horrible person I’m not gonna lie https://t.co/xGJc3q718e

‘ Anelisa ???? (@AnelisaJu) June 9, 2023

She tweeted: “I was shocked to learn that you made it to the top 12 in the Miss South Africa competition. One of the girls you used to bully at school spoke out on what you and your gang of mean girls did to her on her WhatsApp status. You are truly a horrible person, I’m not gonna lie.”

Following this, more people spoke up about the alleged “bullying”, with former schoolmates also sharing their experiences of the finalist.

People that keep asking why I spoke up now is because I wasn’t keeping up the Miss SA pageant like I used to. Yesterday I decided to go on their their page and one of their finalists looked familiar. So that’s why I spoke up!

‘ katchokoe (@FinegyaalKat) June 9, 2023

Not gonna lie but when I saw that girl make it to Miss SA top 30 I was asking myself how cause she was a BULLY BULLY. I wanted to comment my experience but I held myself back (& thought maybe shes changed let me just mind my own) and lo & behold the twitter streets did an exposé

‘ Nthabiseng Salemane (@nsalemane) June 10, 2023

Following the accusations, Twitter users had a lot to say. Some users defended Jose, saying that it was in the past and that people can change. Others, though, were not so happy with the accusations.

Before entering Miss SA one should consider their past and try to make amends because here your past WILL catch up with you ????????

‘ Oneziwe (@Oneziwe_Bikwana) June 10, 2023

Why does Miss SA consistently attract people with problematic pasts? Every single time??? ????????????

‘ GAMElihle Bovana (@yesIamGAME) June 10, 2023

I understand why people don’t want that other Miss SA contestant to be in the running. Just this past month, schools were doing an anti-bullying campaign because we all know as a society how bad the effects of bullying can be on the victims.

‘ ♥ (@Buttonz__) June 10, 2023

Some of us still carry trauma’s of highschool bullying till this day.

It never goes away! It just grows with you. Miss SA should do better.

‘ Khosi!Beauty!Mpho!????????❤️ (@ThuliSaul_) June 10, 2023

Every year there’s a Miss SA contestant that gets exposed for something horrible they did????. And I can’t say I’m mad at it

‘ sunshine???? (@gaboronekelets0) June 10, 2023

.. Because she is doing something for herself do you call out every other person doing wrong or you do it to a famous person to get a moral high ground. All of you are bullies in your own ways the sad part is most won’t even notice it. What she was then is what you are now. Mxm

‘ Ru.S.Z (@rusz12) June 9, 2023

We all make mistakes in our lives. What matters is do one grow from them? Everyone deserves another chance to show their good side. I’m not here to judge. Goodluck Sisi.

‘ Malambula Madida (@TenTenDidiza) June 10, 2023

All these negative comments might be a sign, that you gonna win. Most people who achieved great things, faced some resistance towards the finish line. Go get that crown. Thereafter go to schools around the country, and do talks about bullying, to redeem yourself.

‘ Mbuso The Son Of Man (@mrshezi) June 10, 2023

In 2020, Miss SA contestant Bianca Schoombee withdrew from the competition after offensive tweets posted by her over six years before were dug up and widely shared.

José has not addressed the accusations.