Chidimma Adetshina, a finalist in the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant, has faced serious xenophobic backlash due to her Nigerian heritage. Born in South Africa to an Igbo father and a Mozambican mother, Adetshina’s participation has sparked a heated debate about national identity and xenophobia in the country.
Despite being born and raised in Soweto, Adetshina’s Nigerian roots have led some to question her eligibility to represent South Africa. In an interview, she expressed her frustration with the criticism, which she describes as “black-on-black hate.” The Miss South Africa organisation has confirmed that Chidimma meets all citizenship requirements, supporting her participation.
Chidimma remains determined to succeed and promote positive change, focusing on sports and combating gender-based violence. The Miss SA 2024 winner will be announced on August 10, 2024, at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria.
…Akodo writes for AR
