Miss SA 2024 contestant Chidimma Adetshina. Picture: Instagram
A video of Miss South Africa 2024 contestant Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina celebrating with the Nigerian members of her family has surfaced on the internet, and the public are not happy.
In the video, Adetshina is seen wearing a sash with the words Miss SA 2024 contestant. She is serenaded by members of her Nigerian family at what looks like a church.
The video has sparked further outrage against the 23-year-old Soweto-born contestant, who is the subject of numerous petitions calling for her to be disqualified from the Miss SA 2024 competition. Even people, who had been defending Adetshina, have expressed unhappiness after the video emerged on Monday night.
Social media users are livid after seeing the video of Adetshina celebrating with her family. She looked a bit uncomfortable in the video.
Chidimma Adetshina, the Nigerian imposter in our Miss SA with Drug Dealing and Human Trafficking family celebrating their scam and how they scammed the entire South Africa. #CancelMissSA pic.twitter.com/EIPuzntVY2
— Kwena Molekwa (@Miz_Ruraltarain) July 29, 2024
In the past two weeks, the mother of one and recently divorced Miss SA contestant, has been the subject of afrophobic and xenophobic attacks aimed at her as South Africans questioned her citizenship.
Born in Soweto in 2001, Adetshina is the product of a Nigerian dad and a South African mom, with Mozambican roots.
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has broken his silence over the Adetshina matter. Taking to X on Monday night, he responded to a tweet on X, when he was asked on X how he felt about the whole controversy regarding Adetshina participating in the Miss SA pageant.
“I just returned from Paris and will definitely get more information tomorrow, 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 said.
I just returned from Paris and will definitely get more information tomorrow, 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. https://t.co/KQ6K0MT6aG
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 29, 2024
Another politician known for his anti-immigrant stance, Action SA president Herman Mashaba, has also added his voice to the matter.
“This young woman is compromising herself identifying with these characters who are likely in South Africa illegally. Bad idea”
This young woman is compromising herself identifying with these characters who are likely in South Africa illegally.
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) July 30, 2024
Bad idea. https://t.co/oVdJBQ8yxf
Last week, political commentator Jamie Mighti, said the hate towards Adetshina was afrophobic, while IOL’s deputy editor Lee Rondganger wrote in a column that the test of our national character lies in our ability to embrace all who call South Africa home, regardless of their surname or heritage.
Social media users also shared their opinions after seeing the video.
X user Miz_Ruraltarain, who shared the video commented:
“Chidimma Adetshina, the Nigerian imposter in our Miss SA with Drug Dealing and Human Trafficking family celebrating their scammed the entire South Africa”.
Chidimma Adetshina, the Nigerian imposter in our Miss SA with Drug Dealing and Human Trafficking family celebrating their scam and how they scammed the entire South Africa. #CancelMissSA pic.twitter.com/EIPuzntVY2
— Kwena Molekwa (@Miz_Ruraltarain) July 29, 2024
Another X user Bongani_MKJ commented: “Miss SA is about showing pride and love for your country. What is happening here does not reflect the true spirit of South Africa. This is just a provocation of people”
Miss SA is about showing pride and love for your country. What is happening here does not reflect the true spirit of South Africa. This is just a provocation of people.
— Bongani (@Bongani_MKJ) July 29, 2024
X user Vimlesh Rajbansi called out the minister.
“Gayton, you need a spokesperson because you are a minister and can’t blurt out xenophobic statements like this. Will you say the same- we truly can’t have Indians, Portuguese , Israeli, Lebanese or Chinese compete in our Miss SA comp – if entrants had a similar familial line but are citizens of South Africa?”
Gayton, you need a spokesperson because you are a Minister and can’t blurt out xenophobic statements like this.
— Vimlesh Rajbansi (@VimleshRajbansi) July 30, 2024
Will you say the same - we truly can’t have Indians, Portuguese, Israeli, Lebanese or Chinese compete in our Miss SA comp — if entrants had a similar familial line… https://t.co/q6un2EGkzn
While people are sharing their thoughts on the video, some are even demanding to get their hands on the petition that was created and sign it to get Adetshina removed from the Miss SA pageant.
IOL