A South African group has filed a petition with the organisers of the Miss Universe pageant demanding that Chidimma Adetshina, who is representing Nigeria in the competition, be disqualified.
On October 30, 2024, Progressive Forces of South Africa, in their petition, claimed that Chidimma and her mother were under investigation by the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for identity theft. It further stated that the Nigerian government granting Chidimma diplomatic privileges is “non-compliant and arrogant.” So far, 954 signatures out of a thousand targets for the petition have been gathered.
Chidimma’s current standing in SA
This comes only days after the government rescinded Chidimma and her mother’s South African citizenship. On October 29, 2024, the Department of Home Affairs released a statement stating that Chidimma and her mom would be stripped of their citizenship and travel documents if they failed to provide evidence of being South African citizens by a specific deadline.
Chidimma is currently in Mexico for the Miss Universe pageant after she won the Miss Nigeria pageant where she represented Taraba this year. The grand finale is November 16, 2024.
How it all started
After she entered into the Miss South Africa competition, a video resurfaced of Chidimma at her wedding. Even though she is now divorced, only women who have never been married can compete in Miss South Africa.
Then the conversation switched to her nationality. Despite being a nationalised South African, critics refused to accept her as South African because she has a Nigerian dad and a Mozambique mom.
Despite being approved by the governing body of Miss South Africa who cleared her to remain in the competition, critics continued to demand her disqualification online. The noise finally got their government’s attention and kick-started an investigation into accusations that her mom was naturalised with forged documents. Chidimma eventually opted out of the Miss South Africa pageant due to the backlash and harsh criticisms directed at her, and her parents.
Amidst the rocky situation, the organisers of Miss Nigeria reached out to her, extending an invitation to participate in the Nigerian pageantry. She ended up winning the beauty contest, qualifying her to participate and represent Nigeria at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico. What a twist of fate!
The backlash isn’t stopping Chidimma Adetshina. Her journey from being a Miss South Africa pageant drop-out to becoming Miss Universe Nigeria, and now competing at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in less than three months is breathtaking. She may even emerge the winner, who knows?
Her Instagram page continues to buzz with happenings and updates on how’s going at the Miss Universe Pageant in Mexico.