Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie has weighed in on the controversy regarding Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina’s eligibility.
Adetshina, born at Soweto’s Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, has faced scrutiny on social media due to her heritage.
Despite being born in South Africa, many have questioned her right to compete for the Miss SA title.
The debate intensified after a video emerged showing Adetshina celebrating with people in Nigerian traditional attire, sparking further claims that she was not “South African enough” for the competition.
In response to social media calls for his intervention, McKenzie, known for his candid online presence, expressed concern about Adetshina’s participation and stated that he would investigate the matter.
“I just returned from Paris and will definitely get more information. We truly cannot have Nigerians competing in our Miss SA competition. I want to get all the facts before I comment, but it gives funny vibes already,” McKenzie tweeted.
I just returned from Paris and will definitely get more information tomorrow, we truly cannot have Nigerians compete in our Miss SA competition. I wanna get all facts before I comment but it gives funny vibes already. https://t.co/KQ6K0MT6aG
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 29, 2024ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba also joined the debate.
“This young woman is compromising herself by identifying with characters who are likely in South Africa illegally. Bad idea,” Mashaba said on X.
EFF leader Julius Malema spoke about the matter during the party’s podcast interview last week.
“Your citizenship is determined by where you were born, so if she was born here, she’s South African. It doesn’t matter. She’s not her parents, she’s herself. So why say she’s from Nigeria or Mozambique? She was born here,” he said.
“We cannot punish people based on where their parents come from. I’ve not followed the debate closely, but I would assume Miss SA has done the necessary due diligence and determined she is a suitable candidate.
“These are issues stirred up by those who spread hate among Africans. Such people should not be supported.”
EFF president Julius Malema also entered the debate.
The controversy started when Adetshina mentioned her parents were not from South Africa in her Miss SA entry video. She is in the top 11, and the criticism has become more intense as she moves closer to the crown.
The Miss SA organisation is yet to issue a formal statement on the matter. However, it has emphasised its strict requirements on its website regarding Miss SA entries:
“Miss South Africa entrants must be South African citizens and in possession of a valid South African ID or passport. If an applicant holds dual citizenship, they must provide details of both on the entry form.
“By entering to compete for the title of Miss South Africa 2024, you will be required to consent to and authorize the Miss South Africa organization to conduct a psychological wellbeing assessment, including resilience testing and background checks to verify the information provided in your entry form, as well as confirmation that you are an upstanding citizen worthy of representing the country.”
With one week remaining to the official crowning of Miss SA, a petition has been launched to remove Adetshina from the competition.
Here are more reactions from X:
Miss SA is about showing pride and love for your country. What is happening here does not reflect the true spirit of South Africa. This is just a provocation of people.
— Bongani (@Bongani_MKJ) July 29, 2024Dear @Leon_Schreib please investigate the claimed citizenship of the Nigerian father and Mozambican mother of Chidimma Adetshina.
Investigate how documents were acquired & on which date they were acquired
This is a matter of national importance & must be treated with urgency. pic.twitter.com/RXd88eynME
— 🇿🇦 iScathulo SePhara 👞 (@ISephara) July 29, 2024I never cared so much about this topic until I saw this video. This is very provoking.
— Lady M (@Zihology9) July 29, 2024
