Chidimma Adetshina withdraws from Miss South Africa pangeant

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Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina, a contestant in the Miss South Africa pageant 2024, has announced her withdrawal from the competition due to the controversy surrounding her citizenship.

The hopeful South African beauty queen took to her Instagram handle on Thursday, August 8, to announce her decision to quit the competition. She said it was for the well-being of her family and, of course, herself. This comes a day after the Home Affairs Ministry accused her mother of fraud and identity theft.

Chidimma has reportedly faced reprehensible xenophobic attacks on social media ever since her achievement as a finalist was announced in July. Shockingly, even cabinet ministers have joined in, baselessly doubting her qualifications due to her Nigerian descent.

She has previously told local journalists that she was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent. This prompted an investigation into her authentic citizenship, following a request by the pageant organisers.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced on Wednesday that the investigation has revealed initial evidence suggesting that Adetshina’s mother may have engaged in fraudulent activities and potentially stolen the identity of a South African woman.

To end the controversy, Chidimma announced that she has opted out and won’t participate in the Saturday final.