The Miss South Africa Organisation recently announced the top 13 finalists for this year’s competition, sparking a heated debate online. At the center of the controversy is 23-year-old Chidimma Onwe Adetshina, who has become a lightning rod for discussion due to her Nigerian heritage.
Shortly after the finalists were revealed, social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), lit up with questions and criticisms about Adetshina’s inclusion. Many users argued that she should be disqualified because her father is Nigerian, despite the Miss SA Organisation’s clarification that Adetshina is a South African citizen with a valid ID.
This isn’t the first time Adetshina’s background has come under scrutiny. The Miss SA Organisation previously explained that she met all the criteria for participation, emphasising her South African citizenship. However, this explanation has done little to calm the storm on social media. Afrophobic comments have flooded the platform, with some users making harsh and xenophobic remarks.
When the X account @AfricaFactsZone shared Adetshina’s qualifying video, it faced backlash, accused of fueling xenophobic sentiments. In response to the uproar, Adetshina spoke out during an interview, stating, “I am a South African citizen and I have met all the requirements to be a part of the Miss SA competition. The fact that my father is Nigerian does not take away from the fact that I am South African. My mother is South African, and I was born and raised in this country.”
The video shared by Africa Facts Zone drew a mix of reactions, highlighting the divided opinions on the matter. One user commented, “She is not South African and she must go compete in Nigeria.” Another countered, “Y’all celebrate Trevor Noah in America, but can’t accept a different nationality in SA.”
South African Model, Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina's entry video for Miss South Africa 2024.
She made it to the Top 14. pic.twitter.com/sV4qF4wOeq
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