Wikipedia

Chidimma Adetshina

Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina is a South African who was competing in Miss South Africa 2024, reaching the top 11 finalists, and was called to be removed from the contest. It was claimed that she was unable to participate due to her mixed heritage.

Chidimma Adetshina

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Born
Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina

South Africa
Height1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)[citation needed]
Beauty pageant titleholder
TitleMiss South Africa 2024 (top 11)

Early life

Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina was born in 2001[1] in Soweto at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital[2] to a Nigerian father, [3] and a Mozambican mother,[4] though some sources claim that her mother is actually a Zulu South African.[5]Her father is of Igbo descent while her mother is a Mozambican who had become a naturalized citizen of South African.[6] Upon confusion of her birthplace and nationality, she cleared the case by providing proof to the authorities. She is currently studying international relations at the University of Pretoria. Her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant has been surrounded by controversy, with some calling for her removal due to her citizenship and eligibility concerns.[7][8][9]

Pageantry

Miss South Africa 2024

Adetshina is competing in Miss South Africa 2024, [1][10] reaching the top 11 finalists. She was then called to be removed from the contest.[11] over claims about her nationality.[7][10][12][13][14][15][16] It was claimed that she was unable participate in the contest due to her mixed heritage.[6]

Controversy

Adetshina's citizenship of South Africa and Nigeria raised questions about her eligibility to represent South Africa in the Miss South Africa pageant. The South African Department of Home Affairs launched an investigation following a request from the pageant organizers to verify Adetshina's citizenship. The probe revealed prima facie evidence suggesting that her mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman 23 years ago to secure citizenship for Adetshina. Home Affairs plans to press criminal charges against all implicated parties once the investigation is complete.[17][18][19]

She received support from many individuals who viewed her as an embodiment of South Africa's diverse population. Prominent figures and organizations publicly defended her, advocating for an end to xenophobic sentiments and promoting inclusivity for all South Africans, including the EFF. A further controversy arose when a video surfaced online showing Adetshina celebrating her progress in the pageant with her Nigerian family members.[20][6][21]

Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber confirmed that the department will investigate the nationality of Adetshina only after her family requested it.[22]

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a political party, expressed its support for Adetshina and accused the Miss South Africa organization of being xenophobic and discriminatory against black Africans.[23][24] The African National Congress (ANC) called for clarity on Adetshina's citizenship status and the pageant's eligibility criteria.[25][26][27]

The controversy sparked a wider debate about citizenship, identity, and representation in South Africa, with some arguing that Adetshina's citizenship does not disqualify her from representing the country, while others believed that she should not be allowed to compete due to her Nigerian heritage.[28][29][30]

The Department of Home Affairs resolved the dispute over Adetshina's nationality.[31][32][33] In an interview with Clement Manyathela on 702 news, the home Affairs Deputy minister Njabulo Nzuza sought to clarify the citizenship status of Adetshina,[34] addressing the controversy emphasizing that he was bound by confidentiality and couldn't disclose sensitive information about any individual, including Adetshina.[35][33] Nevertheless, he proceeded to explain the fundamentals of citizenship, as outlined in the Citizenship Act, which can be obtained through birth, heritage, or naturalization. He elaborated that citizenship is typically acquired through either one's place of birth or lineage and further explained that when one is born in a country, they are considered a citizen by soil, and if they inherit it through their parents, it's by blood.[36][33]

Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, was criticised for his xenophobic and afrophobic comments when he congratulated a European descent, Tatjana Smith, over an African descent Adetshina who both have immigrant parents. According to some sources, the minister ignorantly said that Adetshina could not be accepted as a South African because she has Nigerian names even if she was born in the country which contradicts with the Citizenship Act Laws of South Africa.[7] He farther said that there is no way a Nigerian and Mozambican descent could represent South Africa in Miss South Africa contest, carelessly ignoring the fact that Bryoni Govender,[37] an Indian descent was accepted as Miss Universe South Africa 2023 despite her mixed descence.[37] After two days, the minister said that he would investigate about Adetshina's citizenship to see if she is truly a South African. He added that he would apologize to Adetshina if he found out from his investigation that she is really a South African. This brought confusion to some South African as well as neighbouring countries and others wondered whether the minister is fit to be given the office of arts due to his hostility comments and opinions towards Adetshina.[38]

The President of the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) issued a statement expressing support for Adetshina, praising her as a true ambassador of peace. He emphasized that her involvement in the pageant played a significant role in fostering unity and promoting a message of tolerance, countering racism, discrimination, and hatred. By endorsing Adetshina, the NICASA President underscored the importance of embracing diversity and encouraging inclusivity, highlighting the potential for her participation to positively impact societal attitudes and relationships between communities.[6]

The controversy further drew commentary from influential figures such as Prince Kaybee, Pearl Thusi,[39][40] and Julius Malema, who shared their opinions on social media, that stirred the debate.[27][41][42][43]

Personal life

Adetshina was previously married, and divorced in February. She has one child.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Savage, Rachel (2024-08-01). "Miss South Africa contestant faces backlash over Nigerian father". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  2. ^ "'Opening yourself to scrutiny': McKenzie after 'Nigerian' Miss SA remarks".
  3. ^ Chief Michael Adetshina https://lagostojozi.com/jollof-x-amapiano-diary/the-nigerian-miss-south-africa/
  4. ^ Kandi, Privie (2024-08-02). ""Where is her mom?": SA finally finds picture of Chidimma Adetshina's father". Briefly. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  5. ^ Kandi, Privie (2024-07-30). ""Her mother is Zulu": Miss SA confirms Vanessa Chidimma Adetshina's citizenship". Briefly. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Chidimma Adetshina 2024: Net Worth, Profile, Husband, Nationality, Parent, Age, Wikipedia - POP GOLDEN MAGAZINE". 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  7. ^ a b c Heever, Megan van den (2024-08-04). "'I'll apologise': Gayton on IF Chidimma can 'prove' SA citizenship". The South African. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  8. ^ "Miss South Africa finalist faces xenophobic online abuse over Nigerian heritage". The Independent. 2024-08-02. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  9. ^ Maako, Compiled by Keitumetse. "'Not my father': Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina dispels rumours following viral video". Life. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  10. ^ a b "Miss South Africa 2024: Chidimma Adetshina's participation sparks nationality row". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  11. ^ Ncwane, Nokwanda (2024-08-01). "'Xenophobic minister': Gayton McKenzie slammed for comments on Miss SA finalist". The South African. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  12. ^ France-Presse, Agence (2024-08-07). "Miss South Africa contest in turmoil as finalist's mother accused of fraud". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  13. ^ Abiola, Raphael (2024-08-02). ""Power Moves": Adetshina rocks boxing gloves, ready to battle for Miss SA crown". Briefly. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  14. ^ Heever, Megan van den (2024-08-04). "Incoming queen? Chidimma tipped to WIN Miss SA crown". The South African. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  15. ^ "Miss South Africa 2024: Chidimma Adetshina dey qualified to contest - Organisers respond to calls for her disqualification". BBC News Pidgin. 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  16. ^ "'Black people hate themselves': PAC on backlash against Miss SA's Chidimma Adetshina".
  17. ^ "Home Affairs Found Prima Facie Indications of Fraud Committed by Chidimma Adetshina's Mother". Briefly.co.za. 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  18. ^ "Home Affairs Department probe finds mom of Miss SA contestant may have committed identity theft". News24. 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  19. ^ "Home Affairs makes shocking findings on Chidimma Adetshina's citizenship". Swisher Post. 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  20. ^ Molapo, Maki. "Prima facie evidence that Chidimma Adetshina's mother may have committed fraud, identity theft - Home Affairs". EWN. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  21. ^ Thamm, Marianne (2024-08-07). "Miss SA saga is a blot on our country's constitutional DNA". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  22. ^ "Parents ask home affairs to probe Chidimma Adetshina's nationality".
  23. ^ "EFF condemns xenophobic attacks against Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina".
  24. ^ Mokwena, Tebogo (2024-07-31). ""Remnants of apartheid and colonialisation": EFF slams SA for Adetshina saga". Briefly. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  25. ^ "Discussion | Miss SA 2024 | Pageant says Adetshina meets all requirements - eNCA". www.enca.com. 2024-08-04. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  26. ^ "Chidimma Adetshina citizenship: Home Affairs for South Africa release preliminary findings on Miss SA contestant". BBC News Pidgin. 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  27. ^ a b Heever, Megan van den (2024-08-02). "Opinion: Tatjana's dad is also a foreigner, so why 'hate' Chidimma?". The South African. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  28. ^ Afigbo, Chinasa (2024-07-30). ""This is disrespect": SA protest against Nigerian finalist for Miss South Africa". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  29. ^ "Miss South Africa - Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina: Umukobwa uri guteza impaka muri iri rushanwa ry'ubwiza". BBC News Gahuza (in Kinyarwanda). 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  30. ^ Mdaka, Zintle (2024-08-01). "Viral interview with Chidimma's father sends internet into a frenzy". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  31. ^ Maledo, Caitlin (2024-08-02). "Home Affairs & Miss SA must clarify Adetshina's eligibility – Mbalula". Smile 90.4FM. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  32. ^ Maako, Compiled by Keitumetse. "EXPLAINER | Home Affairs details citizenship rules amid Chidimma Adetshina's Miss SA controversy". Life. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  33. ^ a b c Heever, Megan van den (2024-07-31). "Is she or isn't she? Home Affairs FINALLY responds to Chidimma citizenship". The South African. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  34. ^ Mokwena, Tebogo (2024-07-31). ""Let's write an official enquiry": Netizens disagree with Nzuza on Adetshina". Briefly. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  35. ^ Ncwane, Nokwanda (2024-07-31). "Chidimma Adetshina: EFF slams 'Afrophobic' attacks directed at Miss SA finalist". The South African. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  36. ^ https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/home-affairs-clarifies-miss-sa-contestant-saga-e6e2525b-5294-41ee-8224-56c24cb6770e<
  37. ^ a b Magagula, Nompumelelo. "Bryoni Govender, the first person of Indian descent to represent SA at Miss Universe in 25 years". City Press. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  38. ^ Nemakonde, Vhahangwele (2024-07-30). "McKenzie to 'return with an answer' on Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina amid uproar". The Citizen. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  39. ^ "SEE | 'This girl has to suffer because she is black, and she's female' – Pearl Thusi on Chidimma saga". African Insider. August 1, 2024.
  40. ^ "Pearl Thusi receives hate after defending Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina".
  41. ^ "Madonsela, Mkhwebane stand up for Chidimma Adetshina's Miss SA eligibility". African Insider. 2024-08-02. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  42. ^ "Miss SA 2024 resident judge Lerato Kganyago and Somizi defend Chidimma Adetshina".
  43. ^ Sibiya, Sibongumenzi. "DJ Sbu: We are unapologetic and unashamed!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
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