Africa Center Mexico, organizer of the 2024 Puebla International Literature Festival (PILF), has withdrawn South Africa's status as a “focus country” for the festival, scheduled for October 4-6 in Puebla, Mexico.
A featured country at the festival is a nation that receives particular emphasis throughout the event, which involves highlighting the country's culture, arts, literature, or other significant aspects, as a way of celebrating and showcasing its contributions to the festival's theme.
In July, PILF announced South Africa as the festival's “focus country” for its first edition, a festival that will bring together established authors, emerging writers, literary enthusiasts and cultural specialists from Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia.
But on Thursday, PILF, in a statement by its director, Ikenna Okeh, announced the revocation of South Africa's designation as the festival's “focus country.”
The reversal came after controversy surrounding Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina, who withdrew from the competition, scheduled for Saturday at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, due to criticism and controversy over her citizenship and eligibility to compete.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Miss South Africa contestant, who withdrew from the pageant on Thursday, became the focus of debate over xenophobia and discussions about national identity in South Africa after making it to the Top 30.
The decision by the law student from Varsity College, Sandton, South Africa, comes after preliminary evidence presented on Wednesday by South Africa's Department of Home Affairs suggested her mother may have committed fraud.
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PILF said presenting South Africa as the featured country would compromise the festival's commitment to justice, equality, human dignity and the fundamental values upheld by literature.
Invitations revoked
In addition, PILF rescinded invitations to South African guests.
The statement read in part: “We regret to announce the decision to rescind the designation of South Africa as the focus country for this year’s festival and also to rescind the invitation of our South African guests. This decision has been taken after careful consideration of recent developments which have deeply concerned the African community.
“It is with sadness that we acknowledge the distressing events that have taken place in South Africa, where the apparatus of the State, coupled with the disturbing silence of many within the cultural sphere, have allowed a climate of popular power. This has led to the victimisation of Chidimma Adetshina, her family and members of immigrant communities in South Africa, thereby undermining the very principles of justice, equality and human dignity that literature seeks to uphold.”
Our decision
PILF clarified that the decision to revoke South Africa's status as a “focus country” and rescind its guests' invitations was not a rejection of the country's rich literary heritage or the contributions of its talented writers, poets and artists.
PILF explained that the decision was based on the belief that Ms Adetshina's victimisation is incompatible with the festival's core values.
“We stand in solidarity with those fighting for justice, both in South Africa and around the world. The Puebla International Literature Festival aims to be a beacon for celebrating the diversity of voices, cultures and ideas. We believe that literature can challenge the status quo, speak with authority and give a voice to the voiceless.
“However, we cannot, in good conscience, honour a country as the focal point of our celebration when it is currently mired in injustices as deep as those that have been gathering momentum in the wake of the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. We will continue to support and provide platforms for South African writers and thinkers working for positive change. However, we believe it is crucial to send a clear message that cultural recognition cannot be divorced from ethical responsibility,” added a statement from PILF.
PILF reaffirmed its dedication to promoting intercultural exchange and cooperation.
“We invite the global literary community to join us in this effort as we reflect on the role of literature in meeting the challenges of our time.”
At the time of publication, PILF has yet to announce a new country on which the festival will focus.
Chidimma Adetshina
The controversy surrounding the netball player's eligibility to compete in Miss South Africa began after she signed up for the beauty pageant.
The controversy escalated on Monday when a video of the contestant's traditional marriage ceremony surfaced, prompting widespread criticism from South Africans who argued that married or divorced women should not be eligible for the Miss South Africa title.
Despite clear guidelines from the Miss South Africa organisation stating that marital status does not disqualify contestants, the backlash against her continued with many calling for her disqualification.
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs, after discovering that her mother was involved in alleged identity fraud, concluded that criminal charges would be brought against all parties involved.
Ms Adetshina, a mother of one who divorced in February 2024, was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother.
Information on the Miss South Africa organisation's website showed that Ms Adetshina was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother and is now a naturalised South African.
Under the South African Citizenship Act, 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, or if he or she is adopted by a South African permanent residence permit holder or a South African citizen.
This law provides the legal basis for Ms Adetshina's South African citizenship, as she holds dual citizenship of South Africa and Nigeria.
Reactions
South Africans who flooded PILF's username X in response to the decision cast doubt on the organiser's performance.
One X user, Habile, said that South Africans don't care about the Puebla International Literature Festival.
We don't care. We didn't even care about your stupid festival.
— . (@sthedoingthings) August 9, 2024
Another user claimed that South Africa is superior to Mexico, which got it banned from being the featured country of the festival. https://x.com/Amarukills/status/1821657775547805776?t=2WxxF1wqo89JtDghar_bUA&s=19
Another X user, Ivyn Sambo, wrote: “Please keep your international festival, we will keep our country.”
Please keep your international festival, we will keep our country.
– Ivyn Sambo (@IvynSambo) August 9, 2024
Other reactions of X are:
Okay, we don't care, we will never accept identity thieves from Nigeria.
– Mokgalabje Ngwato (@LesibaNgwato) August 9, 2024
Okay, we don't care, we will never accept identity thieves from Nigeria.
– Mokgalabje Ngwato (@LesibaNgwato) August 9, 2024
Nigerians have also infiltrated Mexico. They want to be anywhere but Nigeria. These people are trash. The author was also deported several times and even wrote a book. pic.twitter.com/hBNyEzCRbg
— Panyaza Throat (@PanyazaThroat) August 9, 2024
As a South African, I am proud to announce that we accept and welcome this decision. We also ask that this be a permanent decision on your part. We thank you for this wise decision.
— Save our country from Ramaphosa and his thugs (@luxmamase) August 9, 2024
And we regret to announce that as a result of their erroneous and ill-informed decision to disinvite us, our artists will be deprived of the opportunity to showcase their impressive talent. It's THEIR loss, not ours! pic.twitter.com/TzxCnwFt1Y
– NalediBarron (@BarronNaledi) August 9, 2024
If being part of this festival means that there is no law in our country, don't let us pass. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/2rNkimPAqW
— Amado| (@SoftParent) August 9, 2024