Miss South Africa 2024 pageant finalist Chidimma Adetshina has faced scrutiny and backlash over her Nigerian heritage, The South African Times reports.
The controversy surrounding Adetshina began shortly after she participated in the beauty pageant. The 23-year-old model from Soweto, South Africa, who advanced to the Top 30 Miss SA contest, became the front line of the debate over xenophobia and the country's national identity.
Born in South Africa to a Nigerian (Igbo) father and a Mozambican mother, now a naturalised South African, Ms Adetshina's participation in the pageant has been met with both support and harsh criticism, shedding light on the country's deep history of xenophobic violence and discrimination, particularly towards African immigrants.
In an interview with Soweto SMag, he said that despite his South African birth and upbringing at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, his Nigerian heritage has led some to question his eligibility to represent South Africa on such a high-profile stage.
Adetshina describes the criticism as black-on-black hatred.
Explaining his background to the South African newspaper, Adetshina said: “My father is a proud Nigerian and my mother was born and raised in South Africa but had Mozambican roots. My mother’s family still lives in Soweto and I visit them from time to time.”
This is not the first time the Miss South Africa organisation has faced such widespread scrutiny over contestants' heritage.
In 2001, Vanessa Coutroulis, born to Portuguese-Angolan parents, won the Miss South Africa crown.
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Similarly, Sherry Wang's participation in the competition sparked debate in early 2024 due to her Chinese heritage. Despite her roots and her third participation in the competition, she secured the fans' vote and earned a spot in the top 25 contestants.
Strict criteria
The South African Citizenship Act provides that a person automatically qualifies for citizenship if he or she is born in South Africa, if at least one of his or her parents is a South African citizen, and if he or she is adopted by a South African permanent residence permit holder or a South African citizen.
Furthermore, despite several criticisms and questions about Ms Adetsina's eligibility, the Miss South Africa organisation's website maintains strict criteria for citizenship and ethical conduct.
The document states that “Miss South Africa contestants must be South African citizens and hold a valid South African ID card or passport. If a contestant has dual nationality, she must provide details of both nationalities on the entry form.”
South African-born Nigerian model, Adetshina
The optimistic model, Ms Adetsina, who lives by the motto “Dreams are valid when actions are taken”, is a netball player and a law student at Varsity College, Sandton, South Africa.
The model says her goal is to dedicate herself to sport and fight against violence against women, children and gender violence.
The Miss South Africa 2024 pageant, which will be held on August 10 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, will be crowned winner by Gauteng's Natasha Joubert, the 2023 titleholder. The winner will represent South Africa at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico.
Mixed reactions
Critics on social media, particularly on X (formerly known as Twitter), have argued that her Nigerian heritage disqualifies her from being a true representative of South Africa.
This criticism has been met with accusations of xenophobia from his supporters, who emphasise the inclusive nature of South African citizenship.
In her interview with Soweto S Mag, Ms Adetshina expressed her initial joy and subsequent disappointment when she felt that the affection she expected was not reciprocated.
She said: “I was so excited to participate in Miss South Africa and I didn't think about what the public would think. Once I got to the top 16, that's when I felt it. People at X asked me why I competed because I'm not South African.
“They questioned my nationality, as did my parents. At first, I ignored it, but as I progressed in the competition, the criticism grew. Until I said to myself: 'I am representing a country, but I don't feel the love of the people I represent.' I even asked myself: 'Is it worth it?'”
'Hate among blacks'
Adetshina expressed frustration with the backlash and attributed much of the criticism to xenophobia.
“I feel like this is all black hate as I am not the only one in this competition who has a non-South African surname. I feel like the focus is on me because of the colour of my skin, which I think is a disadvantage – it’s also something I’ve had to overcome growing up,” the 23-year-old said.
Despite the challenges, Ms Adetshina said she remains determined to succeed and bring about positive change.
“Since 2017 I have dreamed of being Miss South Africa and here I am, achieving that goal. For me, being a finalist is like rewriting my mother’s dream of becoming a model. Her father didn’t allow her to do anything related to modelling, so I feel like I am living her life, which feels like a beautiful dream come true.”
Position of the organization
Despite multiple calls for the Miss SA organisation to withdraw Adetshina's eligibility, the body has stood by the model.
They said citizenship, regardless of origin, is the primary requirement, which is in line with the revised South African Citizenship Act, which recognises birth, descent and naturalisation as valid pathways to citizenship.
In a statement to South African newspapers, the organisation confirmed that Adetshina had met all the requirements to participate in the competition.
“All the documentation submitted by the contestants is examined and analysed. Chidimma is a South African citizen and has met all the requirements to participate in the Miss South Africa pageant. Her mother is South African (Zulu) and her father is Nigerian.”
Support
Although she faces criticism, Adetshina has received substantial support from many South Africans who see her as a symbol of the country's diversity.
Prominent figures and organisations have spoken out in his defence, calling for an end to xenophobia and greater acceptance of all South Africans, regardless of their heritage.
The president of the Nigerian Citizens Association of South Africa (NICASA), Frank Onyekwelu, also expressed his support.
In a statement, she said: “Chidinma Adetshina is the epitome of beauty, intelligence and bravery. She proves that she has taken South Africa as her home and will be a good ambassador. As a true Nigerian South African, she is a true ambassador of peace and has proven that there are no limits to anyone's dreams, regardless of the soil one stands on.
“She has imbibed the South African culture and is ready to hoist the South African flag. This shows that Nigerians are caring, peaceful and responsible citizens who contribute to the growth and well-being of their host country. Chidimma’s action and motive will go a long way in debunking the negative social media backlash about her roots, along with all the support from the Nigerian community.
“South Africa and Nigeria are two nations strategically positioned to bring about the much-needed transformation on the African continent; therefore, collaboration in sports, education, beauty events, cultural activities and government ties will help us see and achieve the greater good.
“As NICASA, we encourage and support all her ambitions as a role model as this will demonstrate to our South African brothers and sisters that we can embrace our diversities and come together for a common purpose to make Africa a better place. Considering that this will overcome our indifferences and help spread the news against hatred, discrimination and racism within our neighbourhood, winning the Miss South Africa pageant is a must for our sister. The Nigerian Citizens Association of South Africa stands in solidarity with Chidimma in pursuit of this vision,” the statement read.