Chidinma Adetshina, a Nigerian beauty queen in South Africa is currently facing criticism over her nationality. The xenophobic backlash comes after she made it to the top 16 at the ongoing Miss South Africa pageant.
Some netizens have shared their displeasure that the 23-year-old with Nigerian roots made the top 16 adding that she’s not South African.
Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent, the beauty queen said in various interviews that she is a South African and qualified to compete at the pageant.
“I am a South African citizen and have met all the requirements to be a part of the Miss SA competition. The fact that my father is Nigerian does not take away from the fact that I am South African. My mother is South African, and I was born and raised in this country,” she said.
Meanwhile, the organisation behind the Miss SA pageant has responded to xenophobic comments on social media regarding Chidimma.
Speaking to journalists, the organisation confirmed that Chidimma has met all the requirements to participate in the pageant.
The statement reads: “All documentation provided by the entrants is screened and vetted.
“Chidimma Adetshina 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.”
According to Miss SA eligibility, contestants must be South African citizens and possess a valid ID or passport. If the contestant holds dual citizenship, documents relating to both must be made available. According to an amendment to the South African Citizenship Act, citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, or naturalisation.
By birth means any individual born in the country, provided their parents are permanent residents.
Here is Chidinma Adetshina’s entry for the Miss SA 2024 pageant.
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