Chidimma Adetshina
Chidimma Adetshina | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2001 Soweto, South Africa |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[citation needed] |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 |
| Major competition(s) |
|
Chidimma Adetshina is a South African beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024. She will represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant to be held in Mexico.
Early life
Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina was born in 2001 in Soweto to a Nigerian father, and a South African mother. Her father is of Igbo descent while her mother is a Mozambican who had became a naturalized citizen of South Africa. Adetshina grew up in Cape Town. As of 2024, she is a law student.[1][2][3][4]
Pageantry
Miss South Africa 2024
Adetshina competed in Miss South Africa 2024,[2][4] however following an investigation by the Department of Home Affairs into her mother’s citizenship, Adetshina withdrew from the pageant, citing concerns for her safety and well-being.[5][6][7] The investigation later allegedly uncovered preliminary evidence of fraud and identity theft related to her mother’s acquisition of South African citizenship in 2001. It was asserted that she was unable to participate in the contest due to her mixed heritage and the purported ongoing investigation concerning her mother.[8][7][9]
Controversy
Adetshina’s participation in the Miss South Africa pageant faced scrutiny due to questions about her citizenship and eligibility.[10][1][11] Concerns were raised regarding her dual citizenship of South Africa and Nigeria, leading the South African Department of Home Affairs to investigate her background. The investigation allegedly revealed preliminary evidence suggesting potential issues with her mother’s acquisition of South African citizenship. It was said that the Department of Home Affairs planned to take further action, which may have included potential criminal charges based on the investigation's findings.[12][13][14] Adetshina garnered support from the public who saw her as a representation of South Africa's diverse population. A South African far-left political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters,[15][16] publicly defended her, calling for an end to xenophobia in South Africa and advocating for inclusivity. While other parties, namely the African National Congress and the Patriotic Alliance[10] advocated for an investigation into her nationality. The minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber confirmed that the department would investigate the nationality of Adetshina only after her family requested it. Additional controversy emerged due to a video of Adetshina celebrating her progress in the pageant with her Nigerian relatives circulated online.[17][18][19][20][21][22]
The Miss South Africa pageant maintained that Adetshina fulfilled all the requirements to participate in the competition.[23]
Miss Universe Nigeria 2024
On 31 August 2024, Adetshina, representing Taraba State competed in and won Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Competing against 24 other contestants, the event was broadcast on GOtv and YouTube. Adetshina will represent Nigeria at Miss Universe in Mexico scheduled in November 2024.[24][25]
Personal life
Adetshina was previously married, and divorced in February 2024.[26] She has one child.[26]
References
- ^ a b "Miss South Africa finalist faces xenophobic online abuse over Nigerian heritage". The Independent. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ a b Savage, Rachel (1 August 2024). "Miss South Africa contestant faces backlash over Nigerian father". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ Akhimien, Nosakhale (23 July 2024). "Miss South Africa 2024: Finalist Chidimma Adetshina faces xenophobic backlash". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Miss South Africa 2024: Chidimma Adetshina's participation sparks nationality row". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ Ncwane, Nokwanda (1 August 2024). "'Xenophobic minister': Gayton McKenzie slammed for comments on Miss SA finalist". The South African. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "Miss South Africa 2024: Chidimma Adetshina dey qualified to contest - Organisers respond to calls for her disqualification". BBC News Pidgin. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ a b "'Black people hate themselves': PAC on backlash against Miss SA's Chidimma Adetshina".
- ^ "Chidimma Adetshina 2024: Net Worth, Profile, Husband, Nationality, Parent, Age, Wikipedia - POP GOLDEN MAGAZINE". 3 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ "Miss South Africa contest in turmoil as finalist's mother accused of fraud". The Guardian. 7 August 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ a b Heever, Megan van den (4 August 2024). "'I'll apologise': Gayton on IF Chidimma can 'prove' SA citizenship". The South African. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ Maako, Keitumetse. "'Not my father': Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina dispels rumours following viral video". Life. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "Home Affairs Found Prima Facie Indications of Fraud Committed by Chidimma Adetshina's Mother". Briefly.co.za. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ "Home Affairs Department probe finds mom of Miss SA contestant may have committed identity theft". News24. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ "Home Affairs makes shocking findings on Chidimma Adetshina's citizenship". Swisher Post. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ "EFF condemns xenophobic attacks against Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina".
- ^ Mokwena, Tebogo (31 July 2024). ""Remnants of apartheid and colonialisation": EFF slams SA for Adetshina saga". Briefly. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "Parents ask home affairs to probe Chidimma Adetshina's nationality".
- ^ Molapo, Maki. "Prima facie evidence that Chidimma Adetshina's mother may have committed fraud, identity theft - Home Affairs". EWN. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ "Chidimma Adetshina citizenship: Home Affairs for South Africa release preliminary findings on Miss SA contestant". BBC News Pidgin. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ "Chidimma Adetshina 2024: Net Worth, Profile, Husband, Nationality, Parent, Age, Wikipedia". POP GOLDEN MAGAZINE. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ Thamm, Marianne (7 August 2024). "Miss SA saga is a blot on our country's constitutional DNA". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ van den Heever, Megan (2 August 2024). "Opinion: Tatjana's dad is also a foreigner, so why 'hate' Chidimma?". The South African. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "Miss SA 2024: Pageant says Adetshina meets all requirements". eNCA. 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ Princewill, Nimi (16 August 2024). "Miss South Africa finalist at center of nationality row to compete in Nigerian pageant instead". CNN. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
- ^ "Chidinma Adetshina to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria after Miss South Africa row". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
- ^ a b SIMON, Justina (1 September 2024). "From Divorce To Miss Universe Nigeria – Chidimma Adetshina's Story".