Miss South Africa Finalist Leaves Contest Amid Nationality Dispute, Joins Miss Universe Nigeria

Childmma Adetshina, who recently withdrew from the Miss South Africa beauty pageant, has been invited to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant. Adetshina’s departure from the South African contest was prompted by a contentious debate over her nationality, which led to online xenophobic attacks.

Adetshina, 23, faced scrutiny regarding her eligibility for the Miss South Africa pageant due to her diverse heritage. Born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother with Mozambican roots, Adetshina’s selection for the contest triggered questions about her citizenship and led to hostile reactions on social media. On August 8, Adetshina announced her decision to withdraw from the Miss South Africa pageant, citing concerns for her and her family’s safety and well-being.

The day following her withdrawal, the Miss Universe Nigeria organizers extended an invitation to Adetshina, offering her a chance to represent Nigeria on an international stage. The organizers described the opportunity as a way for Adetshina to continue her pageantry journey, and she responded positively, expressing her excitement about competing in Miss Universe Nigeria, which she described as “Africa’s most prestigious beauty pageant.”

The controversy surrounding Adetshina’s nationality began when her Nigerian heritage raised questions among South Africans about her eligibility. Some criticized her participation due to her mixed background, leading to a surge of xenophobic attacks online. In response, South Africa’s Home Affairs department investigated Adetshina’s citizenship status and discovered that while there were allegations of fraud involving her mother to obtain South African citizenship, Adetshina, being an infant at the time, could not have been involved in these actions. The department is still working to clarify the full implications of these findings on Adetshina’s citizenship status.

In light of these developments, Miss South Africa’s organizers acknowledged Adetshina’s withdrawal and wished her success in her future endeavors. They reaffirmed their commitment to celebrating South Africa’s diverse and inclusive culture. The situation has sparked mixed reactions within South Africa, with some condemning the xenophobic attacks and others debating Adetshina’s eligibility based on her heritage.

Populist opposition politician Julius Malema criticized the xenophobic sentiment, asserting that if Adetshina was born in South Africa, she should be considered South African regardless of her parents’ backgrounds. Grammy-winning singer Tyla also expressed support for Adetshina, condemning the online harassment she faced and emphasizing her stance against bullying.

If Adetshina succeeds in winning the Miss Universe Nigeria title, she will go on to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico later this year. Her transition from the South African contest to the Nigerian pageant underscores the challenges and complexities faced by individuals with diverse backgrounds in the global arena of beauty pageants.