A former Miss South Africa contestant who withdrew from the pageant due to controversy over her nationality has announced she will now compete for the Miss Universe Nigeria title. The 23-year-old model, Chidimma Adetshina, who was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father, stepped down from the Miss South Africa competition for the “safety and wellbeing” of herself and her family following backlash that revealed anti-foreigner sentiments in South Africa.
After her withdrawal, the organizers of Miss Universe Nigeria invited Adetshina to compete in their finals on August 31, giving her the opportunity to “represent your father’s native land on an international stage.” In a video on Instagram, Adetshina expressed her gratitude and excitement for the chance to participate in the prestigious pageant.
The social media uproar had focused on her father’s nationality, despite South African laws granting citizenship by birth to those born in the country after 1995 to a South African parent or permanent resident. The situation escalated to the point where government officials got involved, leading to an investigation by the home ministry. The inquiry raised concerns about the nationality of Adetshina’s mother, who is reportedly of Mozambican descent, and suggested that she may have assumed the identity of a South African woman.
The incident highlighted anti-foreigner sentiments in South Africa, a country that has witnessed violent attacks on immigrants and been accused of “afrophobia” towards other African nationals. The rivalry between South Africans and Nigerians was further fueled when Nigerian artist Burna Boy made a sarcastic post after a white woman, Mia le Roux, was crowned Miss South Africa on August 10.
While South African singer Tyla initially supported Adetshina against online criticism, she later changed her stance, stating, “I stand with my fellow citizens, and I believe that the laws of South Africa must be respected.”