The organisers of the beauty pageant, Miss Universe Nigeria, have offered an invitation to Chidimma Adetshina following her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa contest. ..Read Full Article
Adetshina pulled out of the South African beauty contest following weeks of attack against her for her Nigerian heritage and an investigation into her mother’s claims of South African citizenship.
She made the announcement on Thursday that she would not take part in Saturday’s final. The day before, a the South African Home Affairs ministry accused her mother of fraud and identity theft.
Now, she has an opportunity to contest in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, following Friday’s invitation by the organisers.
“We at Miss Universe Nigeria have been closely following the developments regarding your decision to bow out of the Miss South Africa beauty pageant,” a statement signed by Miss Universe Nigeria’s National Director, Guy Murray-Bruce, says.
“We acknowledge the circumstances surrounding your withdrawal and understand the challenges you may be facing. In light of these events, we want to extend our support and encouragement.
“We believe that your journey in the world of pageantry is far from over and that there are still numerous opportunities for you to showcase your talent, grace, and beauty.
As a Nigerian by heritage, we would like to formally invite you to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant.
“This is an opportunity to represent your father’s native land on an international stage, and we believe you would be an outstanding contender.
“We encourage you to consider this opportunity and take part in a competition that celebrates the strength, intelligence, and diversity of Nigerian women.
Should you wish to participate, all you need to do is respond to this invitation, and we will be delighted to guide you through the next steps.
“We look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you continue your journey in pageantry with the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.”
Adetshina, a law student, had been the subject of vicious, xenophobic attacks on social media since she was announced as a Miss South Africa finalist in July, with many — including cabinet ministers — questioning her credentials because of her Nigerian heritage.
Adetshina had previously told local media she was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent.
The ruckus led to an investigation into her citizenship following a request from the pageant’s organisers.
On Wednesday, home affairs minister Leon Schreiber said the investigation uncovered “prima facie indications” that Adetshina’s mother might have committed fraud and stolen the identity of a South African woman.
The ministry said it was obtaining legal advice on the implications of this on the citizenship of Adetshina, who was an infant at the time of the alleged fraud.
South Africa grants citizenship by birth to anyone born in the country after 1995 to a South African parent or permanent resident.
Adetshina’s participation in the pageant stoked anti-foreigner sentiment in SouthAfrica, which has witnessed violent, and at times deadly, attacks on immigrants in the past.
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