JOHANNESBURG – A finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant has withdrawn from the competition following a national uproar over her Nigerian heritage.
Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student, announced her decision to step down from Saturday’s final after the country’s Home Affairs ministry accused her mother of fraud and identity theft related to Adetshina’s citizenship.
“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 I,” Adetshina wrote in an Instagram post.
The controversy began when Adetshina, who was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and South African mother, was named a finalist in the pageant in July. Her Nigerian roots sparked a wave of xenophobic attacks on social media, with some even questioning whether she should be allowed to compete.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said an investigation into Adetshina’s citizenship uncovered “prima facie indications” that her mother may have committed fraud. The ministry is now seeking legal advice on the implications for Adetshina’s status.
South Africa grants citizenship to anyone born in the country after 1995 to a South African parent or permanent resident. Adetshina has maintained that she was born a South African citizen.
Nonetheless, the heated debate over her eligibility to represent the country in the Miss South Africa pageant became too much for the young contestant to bear. In her withdrawal statement, Adetshina expressed gratitude for the support she had received, but said she was prioritizing the safety of her family.
The controversy has underscored the persistent challenges of xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa, which has witnessed violent attacks on foreigners in recent years.
