Controversy surrounds South African model Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina, a Nigerian-Mozambican contestant in the Miss South Africa pageant. Critics argue she shouldn't represent South Africa, leading to accusations of xenophobia.
Recent social media discussions have ignited a controversy over the inclusion of South African model Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina, a Nigerian-Mozambican contestant, in the Miss South Africa pageant. The debate was sparked by South African users on X (formerly Twitter), who expressed outrage over Adetshina’s participation, arguing that she should not represent South Africa due to her non-South African heritage.
Criticism focused on the fact that most of the pageant’s finalists are European or Asian, and some South Africans questioned why a contestant with Nigerian-Mozambican roots, who was born and raised in South Africa, was competing. This backlash led to accusations of xenophobia and "mental colonization" from Nigerians, including Kemi Owonibi, who criticized the xenophobic undertones of the debate.
Owonibi highlighted that there are fewer than 40,000 Nigerians in South Africa, as confirmed by StatsSA and the UN, and argued that the criticism directed at Adetshina was disproportionate. She challenged the notion that the presence of foreign-born contestants in South Africa’s pageant undermines local representation, suggesting that such views reflect broader issues of xenophobia rather than genuine concerns about fairness.
In response, South African users defended their stance, asserting that foreign contestants could disadvantage local candidates. Owonibi and other Nigerian voices have called out these views as indicative of deeper societal issues, emphasizing that the focus should be on fostering inclusivity rather than excluding individuals based on their heritage.
