THE 32nd Miss Soweto finally took place last night after drama and chaos.

The pageant, which was supposed to have been held last week, was eventually staged at the Uncle Tom's Hall in Orlando, Soweto.

However it was still not smooth sailing for the controversy-ridden event. The show was scheduled to start at 6pm but instead began three hours later.

At 8pm friends and family who had arrived to support the contestants started to lose their patience. They threatened to abandon the show. The 32 finalists started to strut their stuff on stage at about 9pm.

Having produced exceptional high-profile queens such as Basetsana Khumalo, Augustine Masilela and Doris Msibi, the pageant has recently been dogged by controversy, including claims that its standards have dropped.

It has also been dogged by claims of a lack of sponsorship, with reports that some of the winners have struggled to receive their prizes.

Some of the hot favourites in last night's line-up included Tumi Tlou, Katlego Mogoduba and Shandre Pretorius.

The winner had not been announced at the time of going to print.