CHIDIMMA ADETSHINA WITHDRAWS FROM MISS SA PAGEANT

Chidimma Adetshina has withdrawn from the Miss South Africa 2024 competition after facing a lot of backlash from South Africans over her eligibility to contest in the pageant, despite her South African citizenship. The 23-year-old emerged as a central figure in the country’s xenophobia debate and discussions on national identity after advancing to the Top 30 and becoming a finalist in the Miss SA competition.

This withdrawal is coming after South Africa’s Home Affairs Department alleged on Wednesday night, that preliminary evidence suggests Ms Adetshina’s mother may have committed fraud. She has been accused of stealing a South African woman’s identity to register her daughter at birth.

She announced her withdrawal via her instagram page, where she penned a message saying

“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…After much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing from my family and I.” 

This decision of hers comes as a shock to many and has relieved the South Africans who were against her competing in the pageant.