A 23-year-old model who withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant amid controversy over her nationality has announced her intention to compete for the Miss Universe Nigeria title.
Chidimma Adetshina, born in South Africa to a Nigerian father, made the decision to leave the pageant citing concerns for her safety and that of her family.
Her withdrawal followed a public backlash that highlighted rising anti-foreigner sentiments in South Africa. Despite being a South African citizen by birth, Adetshina faced intense scrutiny due to her Nigerian heritage.
This led to a wider social media outcry, with many focusing on the nationality of her parents.
The situation escalated when South Africa’s Home Ministry launched an investigation that raised questions about Adetshina’s mother’s identity.
The ministry suggested that her mother, who was believed to be South African with Mozambican roots, might have stolen the identity of another South African woman, further complicating Adetshina’s citizenship status.
In response to the controversy, organizers of the Miss Universe Nigeria contest extended an invitation to Adetshina to join their final on August 31. They emphasized the opportunity for her to represent her father’s native country on an international stage.
Adetshina expressed her gratitude in a video posted on Instagram, saying, “Thank you so much for this opportunity, and I look forward to participating in Africa’s most prestigious beauty pageant, Miss Universe Nigeria.”
The controversy also sparked tensions between South Africans and Nigerians, with accusations of “afrophobia” and online rivalry between the two nations. Notably, Nigerian afrobeat star Burna Boy mocked the outcome of the Miss South Africa pageant after a white contestant, Mia le Roux, was crowned the winner. South African singer Tyla, who initially defended Adetshina, later shifted her stance, aligning with the sentiment that South African laws must be respected.
The incident underscores the complexities of identity and nationality in South Africa, a country that continues to grapple with issues of xenophobia and national pride.
