Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina is a South African beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, after withdrawing from Miss Universe South Africa due to her dual citizenship. She will be representing Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico.[1]
Chidimma Adetshina | |
|---|---|
| Born | Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina Soweto, South Africa |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[citation needed] |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 |
| Major competition(s) |
|
Early life
Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father, and a Mozambican mother.[1] Her father is of Igbo descent while her mother is a Mozambican who is accused of allegedly committing identity fraud in South Africa. Adetshina grew up in Cape Town. As of 2024, she is a law student.[2][3][4][5]
In October 2024, the Department of Home Affairs of South Africa revoked her South African identity papers following an investigation into her mother's origins.[6]
Pageantry
Miss South Africa 2024
Adetshina entered Miss South Africa 2024,[3][5] but following an investigation by the Department of Home Affairs into her mother’s citizenship, she withdrew from the pageant, citing concerns for her safety and well-being.[7][8][9] The investigation later allegedly uncovered preliminary evidence of fraud and identity theft related to her mother’s acquisition of South African citizenship in 2001. It was claimed that she was unable to participate in the contest due to the pending case.[10][9][11]
Controversy
Adetshina’s participation in the Miss South Africa pageant faced scrutiny due to questions about her citizenship and eligibility.[12][2][13] Concerns were raised regarding her dual citizenship of South Africa and Nigeria, leading the South African Department of Home Affairs to investigate her background. The investigation allegedly revealed preliminary evidence suggesting potential issues with her mother’s acquisition of South African citizenship. It was said that the Department of Home Affairs planned to take further action, which may have included potential criminal charges based on the investigation's findings.[14][15][16] Adetshina garnered support from the public who saw her as a representation of South Africa's diverse population. A South African far-left political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters,[17][18] publicly defended her, calling for an end to xenophobia in South Africa and advocating for inclusivity. While other parties, namely the African National Congress and the Patriotic Alliance[12] advocated for an investigation into her nationality. The minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, confirmed that the department would investigate the nationality of Adetshina only after her family requested it. Additional controversy emerged when a video circulated online showing Adetshina celebrating her progress in the pageant with her Nigerian family relatives.[19][20][21][10][22][23]
The Miss South Africa pageant maintained that Adetshina fulfilled all the requirements to participate in the competition.[24]
Aftermath
Due to the victimisation of Adetshina by some South Africans, the organizers of the Puebla International Festival withdrew its invitations to the South African panelists and guests.[25] The managers cited in its letter on X that the removal was due to South Africa's undermining of the very principle of justice and equality, as well as human dignity that the literature seeks to maintain. The country is no longer listed as a featured country at the festival, which is being held in Mexico.[25][26]
Miss Universe Nigeria 2024
On 31 August 2024, Adetshina, represented Taraba State and won Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Competing against 24 other contestants, the event was broadcast on GOtv and YouTube. Adetshina is to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe in Mexico, in November 2024.[27][28]
References
- ^ a b Hunter, Qaanitah. "How a beauty queen became the face of South Africa-Nigeria tensions". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Miss South Africa finalist faces xenophobic online abuse over Nigerian heritage". The Independent. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ a b Savage, Rachel (1 August 2024). "Miss South Africa contestant faces backlash over Nigerian father". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ Akhimien, Nosakhale (23 July 2024). "Miss South Africa 2024: Finalist Chidimma Adetshina faces xenophobic backlash". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Miss South Africa 2024: Chidimma Adetshina's participation sparks nationality row". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ Kupemba, Danai Nesta (31 October 2024). "South Africa to strip beauty queen of ID documents". BBC. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ Ncwane, Nokwanda (1 August 2024). "'Xenophobic minister': Gayton McKenzie slammed for comments on Miss SA finalist". The South African. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "Miss South Africa 2024: Chidimma Adetshina dey qualified to contest - Organisers respond to calls for her disqualification". BBC News Pidgin. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ a b "'Black people hate themselves': PAC on backlash against Miss SA's Chidimma Adetshina".
- ^ a b "Chidimma Adetshina 2024: Net Worth, Profile, Husband, Nationality, Parent, Age, Wikipedia - POP GOLDEN MAGAZINE". 3 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ France-Presse, Agence (7 August 2024). "Miss South Africa contest in turmoil as finalist's mother accused of fraud". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ a b Heever, Megan van den (4 August 2024). "'I'll apologise': Gayton on IF Chidimma can 'prove' SA citizenship". The South African. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ Maako, Compiled by Keitumetse. "'Not my father': Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina dispels rumours following viral video". Life. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "Home Affairs Found Prima Facie Indications of Fraud Committed by Chidimma Adetshina's Mother". Briefly.co.za. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Home Affairs Department probe finds mom of Miss SA contestant may have committed identity theft". News24. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ "Home Affairs makes shocking findings on Chidimma Adetshina's citizenship". Swisher Post. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ "EFF condemns xenophobic attacks against Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina".
- ^ Mokwena, Tebogo (31 July 2024). ""Remnants of apartheid and colonialisation": EFF slams SA for Adetshina saga". Briefly. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "Parents ask home affairs to probe Chidimma Adetshina's nationality".
- ^ Molapo, Maki. "Prima facie evidence that Chidimma Adetshina's mother may have committed fraud, identity theft - Home Affairs". EWN. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ "Chidimma Adetshina citizenship: Home Affairs for South Africa release preliminary findings on Miss SA contestant". BBC News Pidgin. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ Thamm, Marianne (7 August 2024). "Miss SA saga is a blot on our country's constitutional DNA". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ Heever, Megan van den (2 August 2024). "Opinion: Tatjana's dad is also a foreigner, so why 'hate' Chidimma?". The South African. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "Discussion | Miss SA 2024 | Pageant says Adetshina meets all requirements - eNCA". www.enca.com. 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ a b Zuma, Mbalenhle (9 August 2024). "'Victimisation' of Adetshina costs SA a spot at Puebla Festival". Sunday World. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ "Puebla Literature Festival Withdraws South African Guests Over Chidimma Adetshina Controversy". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ Princewill, Nimi (16 August 2024). "Miss South Africa finalist at center of nationality row to compete in Nigerian pageant instead". CNN. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
- ^ "Chidinma Adetshina to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria after Miss South Africa row". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 17 August 2024.