Miss South Africa Contestant Withdraws Amid Controversy

A Miss South Africa contestant with Nigerian roots, Chidimma Adetshina, has finally withdrawn from the pageant following a national controversy and investigation launched into her roots by the South African government.

Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student who made this announcement via her Instagram page on Thursday cited the safety and well-being of her family as reasons for her withdrawal.

The decision came a day after the South African Home Affairs Ministry accused her mother of fraud and identity theft, sparking widespread xenophobic backlash on social media.

Many, including government officials, questioned her eligibility in the competition due to her Nigerian descent.

Adetshina revealed that she was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent.

The controversy led to an investigation into her citizenship status, initiated after a request from the pageant’s organizers.

The Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, stated that initial findings suggest that Adetshina’s mother may have committed fraud, potentially affecting Adetshina’s citizenship, as she was an infant at the time of the alleged crime.

In her withdrawal post, Adetshina expressed gratitude for the support she received throughout her Miss South Africa journey, saying, “I am really grateful for all the love and support I have been shown.” she posted.