South Africa's Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has sparked controversy by stating that Nigerians should not compete in Miss SA 2024. His comments follow backlash against finalist Chidimma Adetshina, whose Nigerian heritage has led to calls for her disqualification. McKenzie plans to review the situation before making further statements.
South Africa's Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has ignited controversy with his comments regarding Miss South Africa 2024 finalist, Chidimma Adetshina. Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student from Soweto, has faced xenophobic backlash due to her mixed heritage—her father is Nigerian, and her mother is South African with Mozambican roots.
The backlash intensified after a video of Adetshina celebrating with her Nigerian relatives went viral, prompting some South Africans to call for her disqualification from the pageant. In response to an inquiry by social media user Chris Excel, McKenzie stated that Nigerians should not compete in Miss SA. He emphasized the need to gather more information before making a definitive statement but expressed discomfort with the situation, describing the video as raising "legitimate suspicion."
McKenzie defended his stance by highlighting the need to address public concerns and acknowledged that the issue was not merely gossip. He plans to review all pertinent facts before making further comments on Adetshina's eligibility.
The minister's remarks have stirred debate about nationality and representation in national events, revealing underlying tensions regarding identity and inclusion within South Africa. McKenzie’s forthcoming actions and statements will be closely watched as the pageant unfolds.
