Twenty-three-year-old South African law student Chidimma Vanessa Onwe has faced backlash over her nationality after making it to the top 13 in the ongoing Miss South Africa (Miss SA) pageant.
Chidimma, born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother and raised in Soweto, has encountered abuse from some South Africans who argue that she is not qualified to compete in the pageant.
Critics on social media have highlighted her Nigerian roots, insisting that she is not South African and should not be part of the competition. Additionally, some have questioned why the Miss South Africa organization allowed her to enter.
In response to the xenophobic comments, the Miss SA organization confirmed that Chidimma has met all the necessary requirements to participate in the pageant.
“All documentation provided by the entrants is screened and vetted,” the organization stated. “Chidimma is a South African citizen and has met all the requirements to be a part of the Miss South Africa competition. Her mother is South African (Zulu), and her father is Nigerian.”
According to Miss SA eligibility criteria, contestants must be South African citizens and possess a valid ID or passport. If the contestant holds dual citizenship, documents for both must be provided.
Per an amendment to the South African Citizenship Act, citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, or naturalization. Birthright citizenship applies to anyone born in the country, provided their parents are permanent residents.
