Miss Universe Hopeful Faces Nationality Crisis, Loses SA Citizenship

Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student and former Miss South Africa finalist, is caught in a citizenship dispute that has raised questions about her eligibility to represent South Africa. With Nigerian and Mozambican heritage, Adetshina’s South African citizenship recently came under scrutiny following claims of alleged identity theft involving her mother.

Investigation by the Department of Home Affairs

The South African Department of Home Affairs began investigating Adetshina’s case shortly after she became a Miss South Africa finalist. Concerns about her eligibility surfaced due to her Nigerian father and Mozambican mother, sparking a national debate on her citizenship status. As part of their investigation, the department reportedly requested both Adetshina and her mother to provide evidence for their citizenship claims.

Xenophobia and Public Backlash

Amid the investigation, Adetshina faced an outpouring of xenophobic comments, adding a challenging emotional layer to the controversy. She expressed fears for her family’s safety and shared with the BBC that she would likely require therapy to recover from the ordeal.

Home Affairs Decision

In a recent announcement to parliament, Department of Home Affairs official Tommy Makhode confirmed that Adetshina’s South African ID documents would be revoked due to her failure to meet a documentation deadline. Her mother’s documents are also set for cancellation on similar grounds.

New Invitation to Represent Nigeria

Despite the setbacks, Adetshina has received an invitation to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition. The offer has led to further complications, as Adetshina has lived in South Africa for nearly two decades and has expressed her desire to represent South Africa internationally.

The Road Ahead for Adetshina

For Adetshina, the loss of her South African citizenship has implications that extend beyond beauty pageants, affecting her identity and future aspirations. As she considers representing Nigeria in the upcoming Miss Universe contest, her journey has sparked a larger discussion on citizenship, national identity, and eligibility.