A burgeoning controversy has engulfed the Miss South Africa pageant as one of the top contestants, Chidimma Adetshina, finds herself at the centre of a heated debate over her eligibility to represent the nation. Born to a Nigerian father and a mother of Mozambican descent, Adetshina has faced a barrage of criticism and online abuse questioning her right to compete for the coveted Miss South Africa title, despite being a South African by birth. She was born at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, the largest hospital in Africa, in the heart of Soweto, South Africa.
Despite her deep-rooted connection to the country, her mixed parentage has sparked a heated debate about identity and belonging. Read: Born to a Nigerian father and a mother of Mozambican descent, Chidimma Adetshina has faced a barrage of criticism. According to South African immigration laws, if you are born in South Africa and have at least one parent who is a South African citizen or permanent resident, you automatically qualify for South African citizenship.
This debate gained momentum after a video recently surfaced online showing Adetshina with people dressed in traditional Nigerian attire. This led to discussions about her eligibility to compete for the title. There have been calls on social media for South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, to get involved.
Mr McKenzie, who is known for his outspoken views on social media, promised to look into the matter. The sports mini.