A Miss South Africa contestant, Chidimma Adetshina, has withdrawn from the pageant due to a nationality dispute. The controversy started after it was discovered that her mother might have committed identity theft to become a South African citizen. Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student, said she decided to leave the competition for her family’s safety and well-being.
Adetshina was born in Soweto and raised in Cape Town, with her father being Nigerian and her mother South African with Mozambican roots. The issue of her citizenship sparked a social media debate about whether she truly qualifies as South African.
The Miss South Africa pageant organizers requested a government investigation into Adetshina’s citizenship status. The home affairs department found that while there might have been identity theft, Adetshina herself was too young to have been involved. The department is continuing its investigation and considering legal actions.
In her Instagram post, Adetshina didn’t address the investigation’s findings but mentioned her gratitude for the support she received and wished the remaining contestants well. She emphasized that the title should represent everyone equally.
Credit: BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd05z954n3go