Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old beauty queen with a complex heritage, found herself thrust into the spotlight amid a nationality row that led her to represent a different country than she initially intended. Born in Soweto, South Africa, to a Nigerian father and a mother with Mozambican roots, Adetshina grew up in Cape Town, embracing her multicultural background. Her path to pageantry, however, became an unexpected journey that tested her resilience and highlighted deeper societal issues surrounding nationality, identity, and acceptance.
Adetshina’s story began when she entered the Miss South Africa competition, a prestigious national pageant that celebrates South African beauty, talent, and culture. As a South African citizen, she seemed a fitting candidate, bringing both charisma and a unique story to the contest. However, her Nigerian heritage soon sparked controversy, with some South Africans questioning whether she was truly eligible to represent their country. What should have been a moment of celebration quickly devolved into a national debate over identity, immigration, and who could lay claim to representing the nation on the international stage.
The backlash reached a fever pitch when South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, took to social media to voice his opposition. “We truly cannot have Nigerians compete in our Miss SA competition. I wanna get all facts before I comment but it gives funny vibes already,” McKenzie posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. His comments echoed the sentiments of many South Africans who felt that Adetshina’s participation was inappropriate. This public scrutiny led the organizers of Miss South Africa to request an investigation from the nation’s home affairs department, seeking clarity on Adetshina’s nationality and her mother’s legal status in the country.
The department’s findings added another layer of complexity to Adetshina’s journey. Officials discovered that her mother might have committed identity theft to secure South African citizenship, a revelation that quickly became headline news. Although Adetshina herself was not implicated in any wrongdoing—as she was an infant when these alleged actions took place—the scandal tainted her bid for the crown. The investigations and the intense media scrutiny put Adetshina in an untenable position, forcing her to make a difficult decision. Citing concerns for her safety and that of her family, she withdrew from the Miss South Africa competition, stating, “For the safety and wellbeing of my family, I have decided to withdraw from the contest.”
Adetshina’s withdrawal from the competition was a disheartening moment for the aspiring beauty queen, marking the end of her journey in South Africa. Yet, it was far from the end of her story. Her ordeal had captured the attention of international media, and her resilience resonated with many who sympathized with her plight. Among those watching closely were the organizers of Miss Universe Nigeria, who saw an opportunity to offer Adetshina a fresh start. Recognizing her Nigerian roots, they invited her to compete in their national pageant, stating that she could represent her father’s native land on an international stage.
The invitation was a lifeline for Adetshina, providing her with a chance to pursue her dream of becoming a beauty queen despite the challenges she had faced in South Africa. Accepting the offer, she traveled to Nigeria for the first time in two decades, determined to turn her misfortune into triumph. “This journey has been a tough journey for me,” Adetshina reflected. “I am so proud of myself, and I’m really grateful for the love and the support. This is something that I’ve always wanted, and I’m really glad that I have a second shot as well at achieving it.”
On the night of the Miss Universe Nigeria competition, Adetshina stood out among the finalists, her poise and determination shining through. When she was announced as the winner, tears of joy streamed down her face. She had not only won the crown but also a platform to redefine her story on her own terms. Addressing the audience, Adetshina emphasized the deeper meaning behind her victory. “This crown is not just for beauty; it’s a call for unity,” she declared. “I am really proud and grateful that I am going to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe, and I know we are going to win.”
Her win was celebrated by many who saw her as a symbol of resilience and unity. Social media was flooded with messages of support from across the continent. “Your story is inspirational—you are stronger than you think, and we love you, our African sister,” one South African woman wrote on Instagram. A Nigerian supporter echoed this sentiment, saying, “Trust me, guys, we Nigerians are proud of her… she’s our very own sister, a very smart, intelligent girl; our Nigerian blood runs through her veins.”
However, not everyone was pleased with the outcome. Critics alleged that the Miss Universe Nigeria competition was biased in Adetshina’s favor due to her high-profile exit from the Miss South Africa contest. Some accused the organizers of “rigging” the contest, arguing that she had been given special treatment and that her late entry into the competition was unfair to other contestants. “She has never lived in Nigeria and was merely invited to compete after the final delegates had been chosen,” one Instagram user complained. “She arrived in Nigeria for the first time after 20 years last week, only to be given our crown. This organization reeks of sheer bias.”
Another critic wrote, “In all honesty, you won out of pity… feeling very sorry for the other contestants who were there long before you came.” These comments highlighted the ongoing debate about Adetshina’s place in the Nigerian pageantry scene and whether her victory was truly deserved. Despite the backlash, the organizers of Miss Universe Nigeria did not respond to the accusations, standing by their decision to crown Adetshina as their representative.
Amid the mixed reactions, Adetshina remained focused on her upcoming challenge: representing Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition in November, set to take place in Mexico. Her rivals will include Mia le Roux, who won Miss South Africa after Adetshina’s withdrawal, making history as the first deaf woman to claim the title. Le Roux’s victory added another layer of intrigue to the unfolding narrative, setting the stage for an emotional showdown between two beauty queens whose paths diverged under extraordinary circumstances.
Through it all, Adetshina has remained a powerful voice for unity, using her platform to advocate for a more inclusive and accepting society. “We all need to stop with the xenophobia… with the tribalism,” she said, echoing the sentiments of many who supported her during the tumultuous weeks leading up to her victory. Her first runner-up, Paula Ezendu, echoed this call, reminding everyone that “we’re all one family. We’re all human beings.”
SOURCES
- https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly967e7en1o.amp
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/sep/01/south-african-beauty-queen-chidimma-adetshina-crowned-miss-nigeria-after-nationality-row
- https://www.google.com/amp/s/news.sky.com/story/amp/chidimma-adetshina-miss-south-africa-finalist-wins-miss-nigeria-after-citizenship-row-13207658
