Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina’s eligibility has sparked a heated debate, drawing reactions from prominent political figures.
Adetshina, born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, has come under scrutiny on social media regarding her South African identity. A video showing Adetshina celebrating with people, some in traditional Nigerian attire, intensified the controversy, with critics claiming she is not “South African enough” to compete.
Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie joined the discussion, stating on Twitter, “We truly cannot have Nigerians competing in our Miss SA competition. I want to get all the facts before I comment, but it gives funny vibes already.” McKenzie’s comments followed public calls for his intervention.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba also criticized Adetshina’s participation, suggesting her associations might compromise her position. “This young woman is compromising herself by identifying with characters who are likely in South Africa illegally. Bad idea,” Mashaba posted on X.
In contrast, EFF leader Julius Malema defended Adetshina, emphasizing her South African citizenship by birth. “Your citizenship is determined by where you were born, so if she was born here, she’s South African. It doesn’t matter. She’s not her parents, she’s herself. So why say she’s from Nigeria or Mozambique? She was born here,” Malema argued during the party’s podcast interview.
Malema criticized the divisive narratives and expressed confidence in the Miss SA organization’s vetting process. “We cannot punish people based on where their parents come from. These are issues stirred up by those who spread hate among Africans. Such people should not be supported,” he said.
Adetshina’s candidacy became contentious when she disclosed her parents’ origins in her entry video. As she advanced to the top 11, criticism grew more intense. The Miss SA organization has yet to issue a formal statement but maintains that entrants must be South African citizens with a valid ID or passport. Those with dual citizenship must disclose both.
With the crowning of Miss SA just a week away, a petition has been launched to remove Adetshina from the competition.
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