Chidimma Adetshina, a former hopeful for the Miss South Africa 2024 title, has withdrawn from the competition amid scrutiny over her eligibility and her ongoing citizenship status. This follows allegations regarding her background, which sparked an in-depth investigation.
An immigration specialist, Stefanie De Saude Darbandi from DSD Attorneys, clarified the legal grounds that might allow Adetshina to maintain her South African citizenship: “There is a provision in the Citizenship Act, implemented post-January 2013, which says that if you were born in South Africa, your birth was registered in terms of the Birth and Deaths Registration Act, and you’ve lived in South Africa until the age of 18, you’re eligible for South African citizenship status, regardless of the status of your parents. That might help her retain her South African citizen status, but it’s done by application.”
De Saude Darbandi added that although the application process should take about eight months, delays and backlogs at the Department of Home Affairs might extend it to a year or two. “That’s assuming it’s processed correctly,” she noted.
Adetshina, born at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in 2001 to a Nigerian father and a mother initially believed to be South African, has faced controversies regarding her participation due to her parentage. The Department of Home Affairs has indicated potential discrepancies involving identity theft by the person recorded as her mother.
Despite these challenges, De Saude Darbandi reassured, “She will have to wait until the investigation is completed, or rather, Home Affairs will only cancel the citizenship status once the investigation is completed and they’re satisfied that her mother’s citizenship status was conferred through fraudulent activities. Until then, she will remain a [South African] citizen.”
Amid these complications, Adetshina announced her withdrawal from the pageant, citing safety concerns: “Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey; however, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I.”
The Miss South Africa Organisation confirmed her departure, linking it to “recent events” and extended their best wishes for her future. The pageant, set to conclude in a grand finale in Pretoria, remains a celebration of South African culture and diversity, hosted by media personality Bonang Matheba and featuring performances from prominent artists.
As the community and the remaining contestants prepare for the upcoming event, the controversy surrounding Adetshina’s eligibility underscores ongoing concerns about the integrity of national representation in such competitions.
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