By Maame Yaa Adu-Nketia
Chidimma Adeshina, a 23-year-old pageant hopeful who was recently forced to withdraw from the Miss South Africa competition due to a controversy over her nationality, has now accepted an invitation to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria.
Adeshina, who holds South African citizenship, became the target of a xenophobic backlash during her participation in Miss South Africa. Despite her South African citizenship, questions about her eligibility arose because her father is Nigerian and her mother has Mozambican roots. The situation escalated when South Africa’s Home Affairs department, acting on concerns raised by Miss South Africa organizers, launched an investigation into Adeshina’s background. They suggested that her mother may have committed “identity fraud” to obtain South African nationality. Faced with mounting pressure, Adeshina made the “difficult decision” to withdraw from the competition last Thursday, citing her family’s safety and well-being as her primary concern.
However, Adeshina’s pageant journey is far from over. Miss Universe Nigeria extended an invitation for her to compete in their national competition, emphasizing that she would have the opportunity to “represent her father’s native land on the international stage.” In a video posted on her Instagram account, Chidinma Adeshina expressed her excitement about the opportunity, saying, “I’m looking forward to participating in Africa’s most prestigious beauty pageant,” with a beaming smile.
It remains unclear whether Adeshina holds Nigerian nationality, but should she win Miss Universe Nigeria, she will represent the country at the Miss Universe competition later this year. If successful, she would compete against Miss South Africa, Mia le Roux, who recently made history as the first deaf woman to win the crown.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Home Affairs department continues its investigation, with the possibility of pressing criminal charges and exploring the legal implications for Adeshina’s citizenship status.
The Miss Universe Nigeria competition offers Adeshina a chance to continue her pageant aspirations and potentially face off against Miss Le Roux at Miss Universe in November.
Source: Global African Times Magazine
