The internet has been ablaze in the last few days with heated clashes between South Africans and Nigerians, sparked by the controversy surrounding the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant. The debate intensified after a finalist of Nigerian descent, Chidimma Adetshina, withdrew from the competition amid accusations against her mother involving fraud and identity theft. Adetshina, 23, who was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent, faced significant backlash on social media due to her Nigerian heritage.
The controversy reached a boiling point when the South African Home Affairs Ministry launched an investigation, uncovering indications that her mother might have committed identity theft. In response, Adetshina made the difficult decision to withdraw from the competition for the safety and well-being of her family. “After much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I,” Adetshina announced on Instagram on Thursday.
Her withdrawal ignited a firestorm of reactions on social media, with many South Africans voicing strong opinions. South African singer Tyla expressed her disappointment in how Adetshina was treated, saying, “I will always stand with South Africa; I just feel regardless of the opinions..
. She was bullied, and that’s what I don’t stand for.” Tyla’s comments, however, did not sit well with some South African users.