THE prestigious Miss South Africa beauty pageant has been embroiled in a major controversy after one of its finalists, the stunning Chidimma Adetshina, was forced to withdraw at the 11th hour after coming under intense scrutiny over the legitimacy of her citizenship.
Adetshina said in a statement: “Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey. However, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and I. With the support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience. I would like to take this opportunity to wish my fellow finalists all the best for the remainder of the competition. Whoever wears the crown represents us all.”
According to the South African government, preliminary investigations have revealed “prima facie indications” that Adetshina’s mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman to obtain citizenship. This raises serious questions about Adetshina’s eligibility to represent the country in the high-profile competition.
The 23-year-old law student and model, who was born in Johannesburg, has a mixed heritage, with a Nigerian father and a mother of Mozambican descent. Ever since her selection as a finalist in July, Adetshina has faced a barrage of xenophobic abuse on social media, with calls for her to be removed from the competition.
The government’s probe was triggered by these concerns over Adetshina’s citizenship status. According to SA Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, reasons exist to believe that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the person recorded in home affairs records as Chidimma Adetshina’s mother.
In a statement, the Department of Home Affairs said: “On Monday 05 August 2024, the organisers of the event sent the Department a request to verify the citizenship of a contestant, Chidima Adetshina. This request was accompanied by written consent from both Adetshina and her mother. Upon receiving this request, the Department deployed every resource at its disposal to establish the truth. This has included archival research, visits to hospitals, and site visits to verify information. From the information we have uncovered thus far, the Department of Home Affairs can indicate that prima facie reasons exist to believe that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the person recorded in Home Affairs records as Chidimma Adetshina’s mother. Adetshina could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother, as she was an infant at the time when the activities took place in 2001.
“An innocent South African mother, whose identity may have been stolen as part of the alleged fraud committed by Adetshina’s mother, suffered as a result because she could not register her child. The Department has broadened its investigations to identify and pursue any official involved in the alleged fraudulent scheme and is obtaining legal devices on the implications of the alleged fraudulent activity on Adetshina’s citizenship status. Upon completion of the investigation, Home Affairs intends to press criminal charges against all implicated parties.”
This development has cast a dark cloud over the Miss South Africa competition, which is scheduled to culminate in the crowning of the winner on August 10. Adetshina, who has expressed her disappointment at the “black-on-black hate” she has faced, now finds her dreams of representing the “Rainbow Nation” on the national stage under serious threat.
The controversy has also elicited responses from political parties. The Patriotic Alliance has already weighed in, with its leader Gayton McKenzie questioning Adetshina’s eligibility to compete. The PA has gone to court to stop Adetshina from participating in the beauty contest.
The model received support from the Economic Freedom Fighters, whose leader Julius Malema said: “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.”
As the investigation continues, the fate of the glamorous finalist hangs in the balance, with the Miss South Africa organization and the government grappling with the sensitive issue of identity and belonging in the country’s complex social landscape.
