Chidinma Adetshina, a 23-year-old finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant, has withdrawn from the competition just days before the final event, which is set to take place at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria on Saturday.
Adetshina, who had become a central figure in South Africa’s ongoing debates about xenophobia and national identity, announced her decision on Thursday morning, following weeks of intense scrutiny and calls for her disqualification over issues related to her nationality.
Adetshina, who was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, is now a naturalized South African. Her journey in the Miss South Africa competition brought her into the spotlight, especially after advancing to the Top 30 finalists. However, controversy erupted when the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa issued a statement on Wednesday night, suggesting that Adetshina’s mother may have committed fraud.
The department alleged that preliminary evidence indicates that Adetshina’s mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman to register her daughter’s birth 23 years ago. The investigation, which began on Tuesday, has raised significant concerns and added fuel to the ongoing debate about identity and nationality in South Africa.
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In a statement posted on her Instagram account, Adetshina expressed her gratitude for the support she received during her Miss South Africa journey but cited the safety and well-being of her family as her primary reason for withdrawing. She wrote:
“I would like to start by thanking everyone who has stood beside me right from the start of my Miss South Africa journey. I’m grateful for all the love and support I have been shown. Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey; however, after much careful consideration, I have decided to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and me.
‘‘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.”
Adetshina’s withdrawal has sparked a range of reactions on social media. Many South Africans harassed her online both before and after the allegations surfaced, with the bullying intensifying in recent weeks. The incident reflects broader issues of xenophobia and nationalism within the country.
While Adetshina turned off the comments on her Instagram posts, discussions continued on other platforms, including X (formerly Twitter). One user, Kinglohot, remarked, “Now the South African would be happy, but a time will come when they’ll need Nigerians as African brothers, but we’ll not be there.” Another user suggested that her decision to withdraw was the best course of action, given the potential dangers she might face if she continued in the competition.
Adetshina’s decision to step back from the pageant highlights the complex and often volatile nature of national identity and xenophobia in South Africa. Her experience underscores the challenges that individuals of mixed heritage or foreign descent may face in navigating public life in the country.
