Chidimma Adetshina
Chidimma Adetshina, a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant, has withdrawn from the competition following a heated national debate over her Nigerian heritage and an ongoing government investigation into her citizenship.
The 23-year-old law student announced her decision on Instagram, citing concerns for her family’s safety and well-being.
“After much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and me,” Adetshina shared with her followers. Her announcement came just days before the pageant’s final, scheduled for Saturday.
Adetshina’s journey in the Miss South Africa pageant has been overshadowed by controversy since she was selected as a finalist in July. Many South Africans, including some government officials, questioned her eligibility to compete due to her Nigerian background. Adetshina was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent, a fact she openly discussed in media interviews.
The controversy intensified when the South African Home Affairs ministry launched an investigation into Adetshina’s citizenship. The investigation was reportedly prompted by concerns raised by the pageant’s organizers in response to the public backlash.
On Wednesday, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber disclosed that the investigation found “prima facie indications” that Adetshina’s mother may have committed fraud by using the identity of a South African woman.
While the ministry continues to seek legal advice on the implications of this finding for Adetshina’s citizenship, the situation has fueled anti-foreigner sentiments in a country with a history of xenophobic violence.
South Africa grants citizenship by birth to anyone born in the country after 1995 to a South African parent or a permanent resident, a law that has become central to the debate over Adetshina’s status.
Adetshina’s participation in the Miss South Africa pageant has sparked intense public discourse, drawing comments from politicians, celebrities, and citizens alike. While many people have defended her right to compete, others have called for her disqualification, arguing that her Nigerian roots disqualify her from representing South Africa.
In her withdrawal statement, Adetshina expressed gratitude to those who have supported her throughout the competition. “I am grateful for all the love and support I have been shown,” she wrote, acknowledging the challenges she has faced during her Miss South Africa journey.
As the debate over her citizenship continues, Adetshina’s departure from the pageant highlights broader issues of identity, nationality, and xenophobia in South Africa. The investigation into her citizenship remains ongoing, with the final legal determination still pending.