Johannesburg – Actress and DJ Pearl Thusi has waded into the controversy surrounding Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina, accusing social media users of xenophobia and racism.
Adetshina, who advanced to the Top 30 of the competition, has faced intense criticism over her eligibility to represent the country due to her Nigerian father. Despite being born and raised in South Africa, detractors have questioned her South African identity.
Thusi has vehemently defended the contestant, arguing that her heritage is irrelevant to her qualification as a South African. In a video shared on social media, the actress questioned the double standards applied to people of color.
“If she was white… you guys might have never even noticed,” Thusi said. She pointed out that numerous individuals in sports, politics, and other sectors have foreign-born parents yet face no such scrutiny.
The actress’s comments have ignited further debate on social media, with supporters praising her for addressing the issue and critics dismissing her stance.
The Miss South Africa organization has yet to publicly comment on the matter.
![Protesters march on the streets of Accra during a #fixthecountry protest in Accra, Ghana, on August 4, 2021 [File: Nipah Dennis/AFP]](https://theafricadailypost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ghana-protest-150x150.jpg)
