Two African Delegates Withdraw From Miss Universe

Two African delegates have withdrawn from the 75th Miss Universe pageant after failing to secure U.S. visas, while contestants representing Zimbabwe and South Sudan were still awaiting travel approval as of November 13, organizers and contestants said. The event is scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, with the winner to be crowned November 24.

Miss Universe Zambia organizers announced that delegate Mubanga Pamela Hatyoka would not compete, attributing her withdrawal to U.S. travel restrictions affecting Zambian nationals. Hatyoka, a 25-year-old registered nurse, had won the national title. Organizers said she deserved the opportunity to represent Zambia, but did not report that she had received a visa denial in a specific individual decision.

Georgina Kambongo, the Republic of Congo’s first Miss Universe representative, was also reported unable to compete after failing to secure a U.S. visa. Her national organizers said her inability to travel was linked to the restrictions. The reports did not provide details of an individual visa decision.

Roseanna Hall, Zimbabwe’s delegate, said she had spent weeks in South Africa trying to obtain a visa and was still...