South Africa: Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina has made it to the Top-13 of Miss South Africa 2024. The contestant has progressed beyond the Top-16.
Adetshina is a 23-year-old South African law student, who faced backlash over her nationality after making it to the top-13 at the ongoing Miss South Africa (Miss SA) pageant.
The pageant contestant was born to a Nigerian father and to a South African mother, who raised her in Soweto. She faced a torrent of abuse from some South Africans who claimed that she is not qualified to participate in the pageant contest.
However, many social media users have pointed to her Nigerian roots, saying that she is not a South African and should not be part of the pageant. This question was raised by others also that why the Miss South Africa organisation permitted her to enter the competition.
Meanwhile, the Miss South Africa organisation has responded to xenophobic comments received on the social media regarding Chidimma.
Furthermore, the organisation confirmed that Chidimma has met all the necessary requirements to participate in the pageant contest.
The organisation has issued an official statement, which states, “All documentation provided by the entrants is screened and vetted.”
It further stated that Chidimma is a South African citizen and has met all the requirements to be a part of the Miss South Africa competition. Her mother is a South African (Zulu) and her father is a Nigerian.
As per the directions by the Miss South African Organisation, according to Miss SA eligibility, contestants must be citizens of South Africa and possess a valid ID or passport. If the contestant holds a dual citizenship, then the documents related to both must be made available.
According to an amendment made to the South African Citizenship Act, the citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent or naturalisation. And by birth it means that any individual, who is born in the country, has provided their parents a permanent resident.
Miss South Africa 2024 is contesting its 66th edition of the pageant contest, which will hold its finale on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria.
Notably, Natasha Joubert of Gauteng will crown her successor at the end of the event. The winner will go on to represent the South Africa at Miss Universe 2024 pageant, which is scheduled to be held in Mexico.