Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old beauty pageant hopeful, has accepted an invitation to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria after being forced to withdraw from the Miss South Africa competition due to a controversy surrounding her nationality.
Despite being a South African citizen, Adetshina faced xenophobic backlash because her father is Nigerian and her mother has Mozambican roots. The South African Home Affairs department investigated her citizenship after claims of identity fraud related to her mother surfaced, leading to Adetshina’s decision to leave the Miss South Africa pageant for her family’s safety.
In a video posted on Instagram, Adetshina expressed her excitement about participating in what she described as “Africa’s most prestigious beauty pageant.” Miss Universe Nigeria extended the invitation, emphasising that her journey in the pageantry world is far from over and that she would be able to represent her father’s native land on an international stage. It is however unclear if Adetshina has Nigerian nationality.
The Miss South Africa competition continued without her, with Mia le Roux, the first deaf woman in history to win the crown, taking the title. If Adetshina wins Miss Universe Nigeria, she will compete against Le Roux at the Miss Universe competition in November. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Home Affairs department is continuing its investigation into the alleged identity fraud, which could have implications for Adetshina’s citizenship status.
Melissa Enoch
Follow us on:
