Chidinma Adetshina, a contestant in the Miss South Africa pageant, has withdrawn from the competition following a national controversy surrounding her Nigerian heritage and eligibility.
News About Nigeria reports that Adetshina, who advanced to the Top 30, announced her decision via Instagram on Wednesday, citing concerns for her family’s safety and well-being.
The controversy erupted shortly after the 23-year-old entered the pageant, with critics questioning her eligibility due to her Nigerian roots.
The debate intensified when a video of her marriage surfaced, leading some South Africans to claim it violated the competition’s guidelines, which traditionally restrict participation to unmarried women.
However, the Miss South Africa organisation’s rules do not disqualify contestants based on marital status or motherhood.
In a heartfelt statement, Adetshina expressed gratitude for the support she received during her journey but ultimately decided to step back from the competition.
“Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey. However, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and I,” she wrote.
She also wished her fellow contestants success in the remainder of the competition.
Adding to the controversy, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has launched an investigation into Adetshina’s citizenship.
Preliminary findings suggest that her mother may have been involved in fraud and identity theft, which could have affected Adetshina’s citizenship status.
The department stated that they are conducting a thorough investigation, including archival research and on-site verification, to determine the authenticity of Adetshina’s citizenship.
The Home Affairs Department’s statement indicated that “prima facie reasons exist to believe that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the person recorded in Home Affairs records as Chidinma Adetshina’s mother.”
