Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student, has stepped down from the Miss South Africa competition, citing concerns for her and her family’s safety. Her withdrawal follows a preliminary investigation by the Department of Home Affairs into allegations that her mother may have engaged in “identity theft” to obtain South African citizenship.
Adetshina, who was born in Soweto and raised in Cape Town, has faced intense scrutiny regarding her nationality. In media interviews, she revealed that her father is Nigerian and her mother has South African and Mozambican roots. The controversy surrounding her background has sparked a significant debate on social media about her eligibility as a South African contestant.
The Miss South Africa pageant organizers had requested an investigation from the Department of Home Affairs, which reported that there was evidence suggesting Ms. Adetshina’s mother might have fraudulently used another South African’s identity. However, the Department clarified that Adetshina could not have been involved in her mother’s alleged actions, as she was a child at the time.
The Department is continuing its investigation to determine whether to pursue criminal charges and is seeking legal advice on how the situation might impact Adetshina’s citizenship status.
In her Instagram post, Adetshina expressed gratitude for the support she has received and conveyed her decision to withdraw from the competition. “I wish all the remaining contestants the best. Whoever wears the crown represents us all,” she wrote.