- Nigerian-born Miss South Africa contestant, Chidinma has withdrawn from the competition
- Her withdrawal comes on the heels of controversies surrounding her origin and nationality
- Netizens share mixed feelings about the model’s decision to withdraw
A Nigerian-South Africa contestant vying for the 2024 Miss South Africa crown, Chidinma Vanessa Adetshina, has withdrawn following recent controversies around her nationality.
Her reasons for withdrawing are said to be for her own safety and for the best interest of her family members.
In an official statement signed and posted on her official Instagram page on August 8, the model first expressed her gratitude to supporters who had helped her reach the final stage of the competition.
She went on how the journey has been one to remember with the amazing experiences the platform offered her before disclosing her decision to withdraw.
The statement read, “I would like to start off by thanking everyone who has stood beside me right from the start of my Miss South Africa journey. I'm really grateful for all the love and support I have been shown.
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 wellbeing of my family and I.
With the support of the Miss South Africa Organization, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience. I would like to take this opportunity to wish my fellow finalists all the best for the remainder of the competition. Whoever wears the crown represents us all.”
Chidinma Adetshina’s statement
Chidinma is said to be born in Soweto to a Nigerian father while her mother has a linkage to a Mozambican descent. There have been several controversies surrounding the model’s participation in the competition.
Most controversies that have surfaced on social media so far are said to have majorly pointed out her nationality and how she is not truly a South African by origin including recent investigations suggesting her mother’s stolen identity.
Chidinma’s nationality controversy
A recent investigation by the South African government through its Department of Home Affairs on August 7 revealed that Chidinma’s mother may have been involved in an identity theft.
According to the SA Home Affairs, her mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman when registering the birth of her daughter—which they described as fraudulent.
It disclosed that other perpetrators involved in the fraudulent act would be identified and made to face the consequences of their actions.
Following the recent findings, there have reportedly been several social media attacks targeted at Chidinma despite meeting the required criteria of the Miss South Africa competition.
Reactions to Chidinma’s withdrawal from Miss South Africa competition
TheRadar curated some below:
@PrinceG856027 said, “You took a wise decision, daughter of AFRICA. You are already in the history books . You will never be forgotten.”
@Godfree98 said, “She was supposed to withdraw from Miss SA a few weeks ago before her mother was exposed by Home Affairs.”
@zenlife_chauke wrote, “Right thing to do. Her parents messed up her life.”
@itsleeswhang said, “In all honesty, she should have competed in the first place. It’s Miss South Africa, let them do their thing.”
@UTDkara commented, “All my respect to South Africans thrown out the window from today can't look at you all the same anymore. Respect to Chidimma Vanessa.”
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