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News

Adetshina withdraws from Miss SA pageant

todayAugust 8, 2024 299

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Chidimma Adentshina has withdrawn from the Miss South Africa pageant.

Her move comes hours after the Home Affairs Department found prima facie evidence of possible fraud and identity theft committed by the 23-year-old’s mother.

According to the department Adetshina could not have participated in the alleged unlawful act given that she was an infant at the time, leaving her mother at the heart of her identity woes.

Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, says they’ve broadened their investigations, and all parties involved will be prosecuted.

In a statement, thanks all her supporters and says her decision to withdraw from the contest is motivated by concerns to her safety and that of her family.

 

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A post shared by Chidimma Adetshina (@chichi_vanessa)

The news broke not long after the Patriotic Alliance, led by South Africa’s Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, announced its intention to interdict the 23-year-old’s participation in the competition’s finale, which is scheduled for Saturday evening.

It’s currently unclear whether Operation Dudula will go ahead with its plan to picket to SunBet Arena in Pretoria, where the finale will be held.

The party had initially said it would supporting the South African contestants there, while also making sure that Adetshina does not win.

Dudu’s spokesperson, Zandile Dabula, has also bemoaned the silence of Adetshina’s parents in the wake of her identity storm.

“Chidimma’s parents know exactly that she is not a South African hence they said nothing about the matter in public.”

Dabula says the findings are telling of how flawed and scandalous the Miss SA pageant is.

“We also found out that Miss SA is non-existent, there is no office, where is she operating from. We went to the two addresses that appear online, and both confirmed that they moved five years ago.”

She adds that there needs to be clear requirements on who qualifies to be crowned Miss SA and what they represent.

 

Brand Expert, Thebe Ikalafeng, says there are lessons to be learned in this saga.

He says among some of the lessons are a proper vetting process on the side of Miss SA organisers and for South Africa to fix deficiencies and systems in managing immigration and citizenship.

Ikalafeng says the contestant cannot be a beneficiary of an alleged crime irrespective of it allegedly committed by her mother.

He adds that part of the lessons drawn from this saga is for South Africans to not paint all fellow Africans with the same brush.

“If one is legally in South Africa then, then they have all the rights accorded to legal aliens and citizens.”

South Africans have taken to social media to call out those who defended Adetshina, including Julius Malema, Thuli Madonsela, Pearl Thusi and Lerato Kganyago.

Written by: Lindiwe Mpanza

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