Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old beauty queen, is encountering criticism after making it to the top 16 of the Miss South Africa (Miss SA) Pageant. Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and South African mother, Adetshina has been singled out by some South Africans who argue she is not “truly South African.”
A South African vlogger noted that some locals are unhappy with Adetshina’s advancement in the pageant, citing her Nigerian heritage as a disqualification. In response to these accusations, Adetshina has asserted her South African identity and eligibility in numerous interviews.
“I am a South African citizen and I have met all the requirements to be part of the Miss SA competition. The fact that my father is Nigerian does not change that I am South African; my mother is South African, and I was born and raised in this country,” she stated.
The Miss SA organization verified in a statement that Adetshina met all the necessary criteria. “All documentation provided by the entrants is screened and vetted. Chidimma is a South African citizen and has met all the requirements to be a part of the Miss South Africa competition. Her mother is South African (Zulu), and her father is Nigerian,” they confirmed.
To qualify for the pageant, contestants must be South African citizens and possess a valid ID or passport. If they hold dual citizenship, relevant documents for both nationalities must be submitted. According to the amended South African Citizenship Act, citizenship can be obtained by birth, descent, or naturalization. Despite these regulations, many South Africans oppose contestants with mixed heritage.
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