Chidimma Adetshina Resigns from Miss South Africa Pageant

A Miss South Africa contestant whose Nigerian origin prompted a national storm and a government probe withdrew from the beauty pageant on Thursday.

Chidimma Adetshina announced that she would not compete in Saturday’s final, a day after the Home Affairs ministry charged her mother of fraud and identity theft.

“After much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I,” Adetshina, 23, posted on her social media platform.

Adetshina, a law student, has faced harsh, xenophobic assaults on social media since she was named a finalist in July, with many — including cabinet officials — questioning her credentials due to her Nigerian heritage.

Adetshina previously informed local media that she was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambique origin.
The uproar prompted an investigation into her citizenship in response to a request from the pageant’s organizers.

On Wednesday, home affairs minister Leon Schreiber stated that the probe revealed “prima facie indications” that Adetshina’s mother may have committed fraud and stolen the name of a South African woman.

The ministry stated that it was seeking legal opinion on the ramifications of the alleged fraud on Adetshina’s citizenship, given she was an infant at the time.

South Africa provides citizenship by birth to everyone born in the country after 1995 to a South African parent or permanent resident.

Adetshina’s participation in the pageant fueled anti-foreigner sentiment in the country, which has seen violent, and often fatal, attacks on foreigners in the past.

Politicians, celebrities, and everyday folks all chimed in on the discussion. While many defended her, others believed she should be disqualified.

Adetshina praised everyone who “stood beside me right from the start of my Miss South Africa journey” as she announced her intention to retire.

“I am really grateful for all the love and support I have been shown,” she said.