Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina, a law student and model, has been forced to withdraw from the Miss South Africa beauty pageant amid a wave of xenophobic abuse. Adetshina, whose father is Nigerian and mother Mozambican, was born in Soweto, South Africa, at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and has lived in the country for 23 years. Despite her longstanding ties to South Africa, her place in the competition sparked a furious online backlash.
On July 1st, Adetshina was announced as one of 13 finalists vying for the chance to represent South Africa at the Miss Universe pageant. However, her inclusion quickly became a lightning rod for racist vitriol, with critics questioning her nationality and circulating a petition demanding her removal from the competition. The vitriol intensified after a video surfaced showing her celebrating her spot in the finals with her Nigerian family.
The online harassment, tinged with xenophobia, ultimately forced Adetshina to take the difficult decision to step back. On August 8th, 2024, she announced her withdrawal via Instagram, stating: “I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and me. With the support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience.”
In a twist of fate, just days after her withdrew from the South African pageant, Adetshina received an invitation to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria competition, an offer she has accepted.
The broader implications of this incident have sparked widespread debate, raising the question: Can an individual choose where they are born? Discrimination and xenophobia against other Africans remain persistent issues in South Africa, and many across the continent are closely watching how Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina leverages this moment. Should she win Miss Universe Nigeria, it would grant her the opportunity to represent Nigeria on the global stage, an outcome that could resonate far beyond the pageant itself.
