An AI-generated audio version accompanies the story of former Miss South Africa Mia le Roux, who married her longtime partner, Luke ten Oever, on October 16.
Le Roux marked the occasion by posting a wedding video on Instagram, offering glimpses of the day from her walk down the aisle and the couple’s exchange of vows to the celebrations shared with loved ones.
“Mr and Mrs ten Oever,” she wrote alongside the footage, adding a line from Pablo Neruda’s Sonnet XVII: “I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride.” She also noted their wedding date, “16.10.2026.”
The bride wore a striking white dress, while ten Oever opted for a traditional black tuxedo. Their video included an emotional extract from the vows they made to one another.
In his message, Luke spoke about the lessons Mia has brought into his life, including patience, faith and loving without conditions. “Mia, my love, you’ve taught me that faith is louder than fear,” he said.
“We’ve fought through fire, and through it all, you’ve taught me the beauty of patience and unconditional love. With all the things I will become in this lifetime, being your husband will forever be one of my greatest honours. Thirty to 40 years from now, I don’t see the things we’ve accomplished; I see us, a lifetime of stories, taking your hand and saying, ‘My liefie, ons het dit gemaak’ — my love, we made it.”
Mia, meanwhile, thanked her new husband for repeatedly reminding her of her worth.
“In a world that has consistently told me that I’m less, you’ve always told me that I’m more,” she said. “Thank you for seeing me. I hereby vow that I will always see you. Despite the imperfections, we saw glimpses of something divine.”
The couple’s wedding comes more than a year after Le Roux revealed their engagement on July 8, 2025. In her Instagram announcement at the time, she wrote, “I cannot wait to become your wife.”
She also paid tribute to Luke for standing by her throughout her Miss South Africa experience, writing, “The immense love, patience, and sacrifice you have shown me this year has been nothing short of incredible.”
Reflecting on their relationship, she continued: “From the way you hold space for me with calm and steadiness in life’s tough moments, to the way we lose ourselves in laughter over the silliest things … My heart will choose you over and over again, even though you have to inspect your cricket kit for an hour first when I ask for a cup of coffee.”
“We said yes to forever,” she added.
Le Roux won the Miss South Africa crown in 2024, becoming the first differently abled woman and the first recipient of a cochlear implant to take the title. She later represented South Africa at Miss Universe in Mexico, but stepped away from the competition shortly before the final because of health concerns.
Her wedding will air on SABC3’s Top Billing on Thursday.
