Story Of Controversy To Triumph: South African Beauty Queen Finalist Chidimma Adetshina Wins Miss Universe Nigeria
A former Miss South Africa contestant whose lineage sparked a big controversy and even precipitated a government investigation has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria on Saturday.
Chidimma Adetshina whose father was a Nigerian was forced to opt out of the Miss South Africa contest amidst a wave of anti-foreigner sentiment.
Miss Chidimma reached the Miss South Africa finals in July but her selection sparked a huge backlash in the form of xenophobic attacks, fueled by her Nigerian heritage.
Worse, her mother was accused of identity theft and there were unconfirmed reports that she had assumed the identity of a South African woman.
Her nationality row also led to the initiation of an investigation by the nation’s Home Affairs department after a request by organizers of Miss South Africa to look into her eligibility.
The probe revealed that Miss Adetshina’s mother was of Mozambican origin and may have committed “identity theft” to become a South African national.
However, the Home department gave a clean chit to Miss Adetshina and stated that she could not be held responsible for the alleged unlawful actions of her mother as she was an infant at the time.
Miss Chidimma Adetshina was born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother. She was born in Soweto – the South African township next to Johannesburg and was raised in Cape Town.
She was forced to withdraw from the Miss South Africa contest in early August, citing concerns for the safety and well-being of her family.
Chidimma Adetshina Wins Miss Universe Nigeria
Miss Chidimma then received an invitation from the organizers of the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.
She was offered a chance to represent her father’s homeland and on Saturday she was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria.
Chidimma Adetshina who is a 23-year-old law student was overwhelmed and expressed her joy and pride in being able to represent Nigeria in the upcoming Miss Universe contest.
Miss Chidimma stated that the crown is not just for beauty but for African unity.
Chidimma Adetshina shared her vision for African unity on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
“What an incredible journey this has been. Standing here as Miss Universe Nigeria is a dream come true, and I am deeply honored and humbled to wear this crown tonight…As I accept this honor, I want to share a vision that burns deeply within me, a vision of African unity and peaceful co-existence,” she wrote. “Let’s break down the barriers that divide us. Let’s foster a continent where every African can move freely without prejudice, pursue their dreams, and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our great continent.”
Her success was also celebrated on social media and one South African woman wrote on Instagram
“Your story is inspirational – you are stronger than you think and we love you our African sister,”
Another supporter said:
“Trust me guys, we Nigerians are proud of her… she’s our very own sister, a very smart, intelligent girl, our Nigerian blood runs through her veins.”
However, several users alleged that the contest was rigged in Ms Chidimma’s favor.
One Instagram user said.
“She’s undeserving,”
Another wrote
“She has never lived in Nigeria and was merely invited to compete after the final delegates had been chosen… She arrived in Nigeria for the first time after 20 years last week, only to be given our crown. This organization reeks of sheer bias.”
A third user stated,
“In all honesty you won out of pity… feeling very sorry for the other contestants who were there long before you came.”
The Miss Universe contest will be held in November where Chidimma Adetshina will be pitted against Mia le Roux, who won this year’s Miss South Africa competition after Ms Adetshina dropped out.
Ms le Roux became the first deaf woman in history to win the crown.
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