Chidimma Adetshina, a former Miss South Africa finalist who stepped away from the pageant following a controversy surrounding her nationality is set to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria.
Reports say the 23-year-old model, who was born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother with Mozambican roots, has now accepted an invitation to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant instead.
Adetshina’s withdrawal from Miss South Africa comes after intense scrutiny and xenophobic backlash regarding her eligibility to compete.
On Aug. 8, she took to Instagram to share her decision, stating it was made to ensure the “safety and wellbeing” of herself and her family.
The day after her announcement, the organizers of Miss Universe Nigeria extended an invitation to Adetshina, offering her a chance to represent her father’s homeland on an international stage.
In a video shared on Instagram, Adetshina expressed excitement about this new opportunity, calling Miss Universe Nigeria “Africa’s most prestigious beauty pageant.”
The controversy surrounding Adetshina began when her Nigerian surname sparked calls for clarification on her citizenship status. The situation escalated when South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs launched an investigation and suggested potential fraud involving Adetshina’s mother in securing South African citizenship back in 2001.
The department acknowledged that Adetshina, an infant at the time, could not have been involved and is still assessing the legal implications of the alleged actions.
Miss South Africa organizers have since accepted Adetshina’s withdrawal, wishing her success in future endeavors.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions in South Africa, where xenophobic sentiments are not uncommon. Political figure Julius Malema defended Adetshina, stating that “if she was born here, she is South African… she is not her parents.”
Grammy-winning artist Tyla also weighed in, expressing disappointment over the online harassment Adetshina faced. While reaffirming her support for South Africa, Tyla condemned the bullying, stating that regardless of opinions, Adetshina was treated unfairly.
If Adetshina secures the Miss Universe Nigeria crown, she will represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico later this year.
For many observers, the shift demonstrates her resilience amid adversity and reinforcing her presence in the world of international pageantry.
