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News

2024 In Review | Chidimma, zama zamas took the hot potato cup

todayDecember 31, 2024 52

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Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina—that’s the name of the 23-year-old who divided South Africans for most of 2024.

Not only was she at the centre of an identity fraud scandal, but the controversy surrounding her citizenship laid bare how widespread corruption is at the Home Affairs Department.

A can of worms was opened after South Africans questioned the model’s heritage and identity during her bid to become Miss South Africa.

The public outcry led to an investigation by Home Affairs and the Hawks, which forced the model to withdraw from the pageant. She cited concerns for her family’s safety as the reason for her move.

She trended almost every day on social media, with many calling for her and her mother to be held accountable for robbing an innocent family of a future, while others shared their frustration with the high influx of illegal foreigners, specifically Nigerians in the country.

Amid all the chaos surrounding her, the 23-year-old then changed her allegiance to Nigeria from South Africa.

Following her withdrawal from Miss SA in August, she was invited to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria, which she won, thus ending up competing for the Miss Universe title in Mexico.

She has spoken candidly about her experience in the Pageant, specifically South Africa.

“My story is powerful, not only in Nigeria but globally. Many young people can relate to my journey and learn from it,” she’s said.

The South African-born Adetshina might not be able to return to South Africa after her documents were revoked.

This after she and her mother, Anabela Rungo, failed to make representations to the Department of Home Affairs on why they should keep their South African Identity Documents (IDs) by the 28 October deadline.

Another story that had South Africans divided and concerned over the potential humanitarian disaster that’s unfolding in the North West province is the quagmire of the trapped illegal miners at Stilfontein.

The miners trapped for weeks now have been emerging in dribs and drabs after the police and the military blocked their food and water supplies as part of the police’s Operation Vala Umgodi, which is aimed at combating illegal mining.

Conflicting reports on the protracted stay underground continue emerging with each new batch of illegal miners resurfacing.

Just recently South Africans were aghast over claims that some of the zama zamas have resorted to eating the human flesh of their comrades who had died of hunger. The resurfacing illegal miners’ warning that it’s unsafe for the police to go underground as some of the illegal miners are heavily armed is another unsettling piece of information on the saga that’s laid bare the impact of illegal mining in South Africa, which public safety.

So far, more than 1 500 illegal miners have resurfaced from the disused mines at Stilfontein and the police say many of them have been deported to their home countries of Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.

Below are some of the requests the zama zamas have been making to the authorities, which had Mzansi up in arms, as they had asked for more rice, tomato sauce and mayonnaise.

@moeraneb14
@moeraneb14

As efforts to resolve the crisis in the North West continue and the country gears up to enter the New Year, it would be a mistake for YNews not to pay homage to some of the stars that fell in 2024.

 

Written by: Nokwazi Qumbisa

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