Chidimma Adetshina Controversy: Miss Sa Breaks Silence
Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina was born in 2001 in Soweto at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital to a Nigerian father, and a Mozambican mother, though some sources claim that her mother is a Zulu South African.
Her father is of Igbo descent while her mother is a Mozambican who has become a naturalized citizen of South Africa.
Miss Sa Breaks Silence On Chidimma Adetshina’s Ethnicity
Upon confusion of her birthplace and nationality, she cleared the case by providing proof to the authorities. She is currently studying international relations at the University of Pretoria.
Her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant has been surrounded by controversy, with some calling for her removal due to her citizenship and eligibility concerns.[
The Miss South African organization has broken its silence on the controversy surrounding former finalist Chidimma Adetshina’s ethnicity via a statement on Thursday 8 August.
After Chidimma Adetshina was placed as a Miss SA finalist, there were questions surrounding her ethnicity. The model previously said that her father is Nigerian, and her mother is South African with Mozambican roots.
However, a bombshell statement by the South African Department of Home Affairs alleged that Chidimma’s mother may have committed fraud and identity theft when registering her birth. Chidimma shortly dropped out of the pageant. The Miss SA Organisation has now broken their silence on the matter.
In a statement, the organization stated that they wish Chidimma the best and success.
“In light of recent events, 2024 Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Miss South Africa competition. We wish Chidimma all of the very best and success in all her endeavours,” read the statement, shared with The South African.
“The Miss South Africa Organisation would like to thank our sponsors, partners, fans and all stakeholders for their continued support and wish the 2024 Miss South Africa finalists, all of the best,” read the statement.
MISS SA ORGANSIATION: ‘WE UPHOLD THE SPIRIT OF UBUNTU-BOTHO’
The Miss SA Organisation went on to say that they uphold the spirit of Ubuntu-Botho and are committed to contributing to self-belief, confidence and more.“Miss South Africa celebrates South Africa’s rich and inclusive culture and diversity. We uphold the spirit of Ubuntu-Botho and are committed to contributing to the self-belief, self-confidence, and fulfilment of the aspirations of all girls and women in Africa and worldwide,” read the statement.
Chidimma expressed that she dropped out of the pageant for the safety of herself and her family, in a statement, shared on Instagram on Thursday 8 August. She turned off the comments on the post of the statement.
“I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing 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,” she wrote.
Miss South Africa entrant Chidimma Adetshina has withdrawn from the contest after she attracted scrutiny over her nationality.
Chidimma confirmed the move on Thursday, a day after the Department of Home Affairs announced that it had obtained information that her mother might have committed fraud and identity theft to support nationality claims.
The 23-year-old model has been in the eye of a storm over her eligibility to take part in the competition.
The final is set to take place on Saturday, August 10.
“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 from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I,” she said in a statement.
Home Affairs says it has broadened its investigation into the nationality issue, targeting officials who may have abetted it.
The department said it initiated a probe, which was ongoing, after a request by Miss SA organisers and the consent by Chidimma and her mother.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the Miss SA contestant was, however, not to blame in the saga, as she was an infant at the time her mother is alleged to have committed the crime.
“The department has broadened its investigation to identify and pursue any officials involved in the alleged fraudulent scheme, and is obtaining legal advice on the implications of the alleged fraudulent activity on Adetshina’s citizenship status and, upon, the completion of the investigation, Home Affairs intends to press criminal charges against all implicated parties.”
Read: ‘Identity theft’ claim mars Miss SA pageant
Chidimma has experienced abuse on social media since she stormed into the final of the pageant.
The model was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a mother of Mozambican origin.
The organisers had said that she was eligible to compete, as she holds a valid ID and passport.
The nation grants citizenship by birth to anyone born in the country after 1995.
