South African-born Chidimma Adetshina is a 23-year-old law student who had big dreams of winning the Miss South Africa title. But after controversies began to involve her family, Adetshina decided to pull out of the contest.
“I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I,” she wrote in an Instagram post. Adetshina added that she’s leaving the competition with “a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience.”
Recently, Adetshina has received xenophobic threats, questioning if she should even be allowed in the competition due to her ethnicity. According to Daily Mail, the 23-year-old was born in Soweto and raised in Cape Town, but she comes from a Nigerian father and a South African mother with Mozambique heritage. Many said Adetshina’s mix of identities isn’t South African enough for her to compete.
To sooth everyone’s concerns, a preliminary investigation was conducted into Adetshina’s family by the home affairs department, and their findings were shocking. Reportedly, the department concluded that Adetshina’s mother stole the identity of a South African woman back in 2001.
A statement by the home affairs department last week read, “An innocent South African mother, whose identity may have been stolen as part of the alleged fraud committed by Adetshina’s mother, suffered as a result because she could not register her child.”
The department went on to say Adetshina was innocent of any wrongdoing because the alleged crime occurred when she was only a baby. There will be a thorough investigation further into the matters, which may result in criminal charges against all parties involved.
Adetshina has not addressed these allegations publicly. In response to her departure, the organizers of Miss South Africa said, “We wish Chidimma all of the very best and success in all her endeavours.” The organization’s statement continued, “Miss South Africa celebrates South Africa’s rich and inclusive culture and diversity.”
Despite dropping out of the Miss South Africa race, Adetshina has plans to continue her dreams with the surprising help of the organizers of Miss Universe Nigeria.
Through a formal invitation, Miss Universe Nigeria asked Adetshina to compete in the Nigerian competition to “represent your father’s native land on an international stage.”
On Aug. 14, Adetshina responded on Instagram saying “I understand the responsibilities and expectations that come with this title and I am so excited to embark on this journey.” She continued saying she looks “forward to participating in Africa’s most prestigious beauty pageant, Miss Universe Nigeria.