DJ Sbu has stepped up to defend Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina against a wave of criticism she has faced over her heritage. Adetshina, born at Soweto’s Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, has been targeted on social media due to her bloodline.
According to Times Live, in a heartfelt video posted on YouTube, DJ Sbu, co-founder of the energy drink Mofaya, which sponsors Miss SA, addressed the “selective outrage” he perceives among South Africans. He urged viewers to focus on positive energy and constructive actions.
“I think we’ve got selective outrage,” DJ Sbu stated. He questioned the reasoning behind the backlash, emphasizing that Adetshina entered the Miss SA pageant legitimately. “What would it help a man to hate on a young [lady] who is pursuing a future, who was born in SA and who entered Miss SA legitimately through her South African barcoded green ID?”
DJ Sbu pointed out the irony in the criticism directed at Adetshina. He argued that the negative attention is inadvertently promoting both Miss SA and Mofaya. “You are focusing your negativity on a young lady and you are hoping she’s not going to do well. All you are doing is to promote Miss SA,” he said. “You are focusing on saying people must boycott Mofaya as the energy drink is one of the sponsors. All you are doing is to market Mofaya to even more eyeballs, to more people.”
Addressing a petition calling for Adetshina’s disqualification from the beauty competition, DJ Sbu highlighted the potential for positive initiatives. “Imagine if you had started a petition to build a school in your community. Imagine if you had started a petition to raise money for a bursary for your child, for your sister, for your cousin, for yourself. Imagine if you had started an initiative to build a community centre, or imagine if you started a petition to do something positive,” he suggested.
In response to the backlash, a counter-petition supporting Adetshina, started by Lindiwe Tom Mthethwa, has gained traction. “Adetshina is a vibrant, dynamic and inspiring individual who has proved herself worthy of being a contestant in the 2024 Miss SA pageant. However, unjustifiable discrimination and disqualification threats loom over her participation. There are no valid reasons for this resistance, and we stand unwavering in her defence. SA is a diverse nation that encourages representation of every woman, regardless of her race, age and background,” the petition reads.
DJ Sbu also pointed out the hypocrisy of the criticism, noting that many prominent South Africans have parents who were not born in the country. “How many of your political leaders, how many of your favourite celebrities, how many of your actors, actresses, musicians, politicians, business people have parents who don’t come from SA? By the way, I’m one of them. Though my parents were born in SA, my father’s father is not from here. Are you going to boycott me?”
As the Miss SA 2024 event approaches, DJ Sbu expressed his support for all the contestants and his commitment to fostering a positive environment. “I want to wish all the contestants a great Miss SA 2024. I’ll be dressed up to the nines with my daughter who’s going to be my date,” he said, encouraging young South Africans to dream big and ignore detractors.
With DJ Sbu’s endorsement and the growing support for Adetshina, the Miss SA 2024 pageant promises to be a celebration of diversity and resilience, reflecting the true spirit of South Africa.
Dj Sbu defends Miss SA pageant Chidimma Adetshina. pic.twitter.com/DD3bxSdozW
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) July 31, 2024
