“Under the Racist Evening”: Borna Boy mocks Mzansi after white model wins Miss SA 2024
In a recent turn of events that has sparked conversations across social media platforms, Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, took to his online presence to voice his disappointment over the treatment of Nigerian-affiliated model Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina in the Miss South Africa 2024 competition. This situation has not only highlighted issues of racial identity and representation within the beauty pageant landscape but has also reignited tensions between different African nationalities.
Chidimma, who has Nigerian and Mozambican heritage, was a contestant in the highly publicized Miss South Africa 2024 pageant held at the Sun Bet Arena Time Square Menlyn in Pretoria. Unfortunately, she faced significant backlash from predominantly black South African commentators, leading to her withdrawal from the competition. The criticisms she encountered primarily stemmed from claims that she, as a model of foreign descent, could not authentically represent South African heritage.
Ironically, the winner of the competition, Mia Le Roux, is a descendant of the Dutch settlers in South Africa—often referred to as Boers. Despite her impressive journey, particularly as a competitor who is deaf, her victory has reopened debates about what it means to represent a nation in such a culturally significant event. Critics, including Burna Boy, have pointed out the apparent contradictions in a nation that, while barring a fellow African from the contest, crowned a participant with European roots
😂😂So After ALL that.. ……. 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/reNfDe9N12
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) August 11, 2024
The backlash against Chidimma and the subsequent crowning of Mia has led to a wave of mockery aimed at South Africans from other African nations. Nigerians and many other Africans expressed their indignation on social media, questioning why a country with a rich tapestry of black culture and history would allow a competitor of African descent to be bullied out of the running, only to crown someone with European heritage.
This incident brings to the forefront the ongoing struggle surrounding identity and representation in a continent with diverse cultures and histories. While beauty pageants are platforms meant to celebrate individuals, they also reflect societal values and the complexities of post-colonial identity. The arguments raised by Burna Boy and his supporters seem to suggest that South Africa’s response to Chidimma’s candidacy signals a deeper issue regarding self-perception and nationalism among a population still grappling with its colonial past.
As the dust settles from the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant, the conversations it has sparked are crucial. They invite dialogue not only about beauty and representation but also about the broader implications of racial identity within Africa. Are all Africans truly united, or do divisions remain that hinder an authentic celebration of shared heritage? It remains to be seen how this episode will affect future beauty pageants and the representation of African women on prestigious platforms.
What is undeniable, however, is that such incidents must prompt a reevaluation of how we define beauty and representation in a globalized world—and what it means to stand together as a continent, particularly when we contend with our interconnected but sometimes fractious histories.
Burna Boy reacts to Miss South Africa drama
Burna Boy has broken his silence on the recent #MissSA2024 pageant, situation.
The competition gained significant attention from Nigerians following the withdrawal of finalist Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina due to a fraud case involving… pic.twitter.com/Jb191xizBB
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) August 11, 2024
SA defends new Miss SA
@KwaneleN00 commented: “Better than an identify thief ,crime beneficiary.”
@SciyandaSithole wrote: “A South African citizen born and bred, with legitimate citizenship, she is not fraud!”
@unclescrooch said: “You make a mistake by commenting on this stuff. Or maybe you’ve made the choice to never perform in SA🇿🇦 again? They will pull out this tweet to make sure no one buys your tickets.”
@B__master backed Mia: “She’s ours. Miss South Africa and we are proud she won. Take care of Chichi for us there. Burna Boy hasn’t forgiven South Africa for not buying his tickets on his last show that was canceled. this tweet of his got bitterness all over it.”
