After controversy over the truth of her nationality Chidimma Adetshina withdraws from Miss South Africa.

In a dramatic turn of events, Miss South Africa 2024 hopeful Chidimma Adetshina has officially withdrawn from the competition, following a controversy surrounding her citizenship that has captured national attention. The Department of Home Affairs recently alleged that her mother may have committed fraud and identity theft during the registration of Chidimma’s birth. This revelation came as part of a preliminary investigation prompted by a request from the Miss South Africa organization, along with Chidimma and her mother’s consent, to validate her identity documents.

Chidimma, a 23-year-old aspiring beauty queen, has faced intense scrutiny over her nationality since being announced as a finalist in July. With a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican roots, she quickly became the target of xenophobic attacks on social media. Critics, including some government ministers, have raised questions regarding her eligibility to compete in a national beauty pageant, leading to a climate of distress for the contestant and her family.

Speaking about the investigation, Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber described the government’s findings, which reportedly involved extensive archival research, visits to hospitals, and site assessments. The implications of these findings have raised concerns not only about Chidimma’s participation in the pageant but also about the integrity of the pageant itself.