Chidinma Vanessa One Adeshina, a competitor in this year’s Miss South Africa pageant, has seen herself in the middle of a controversial debate regarding her eligibility to describe the nation.
Since moving to the Top 30 of the contest, Adeshina has encountered complaints on social media with critics asking about her South African identity and usefulness as a representative for the nation, while others say people asking about her essence are xenophobic.
The debate was sparked momentarily after she entered the beauty pageant. She noted in her video she was raised in Soweto. However, some individuals argued despite being born at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and being grown here, her parents were not South Africans.
“My father is a proud Nigerian and my mom was grown and raised in South Africa but has origins from Mozambique. My mom’s home still lives in Soweto and I see them from time to time,” she suggested Sowetan SMag
This is not the foremost time the Miss South Africa community has been under stress.
Model Sherry Wang’s entrance video for the contest earlier this year also sparked controversy. She succeeded in the fan vote, which put her among the Top 25 competitors. This was her third entrance into the match.
The organization is understood for its strict criteria regarding citizenship and moral conduct. Highlighted on its website the competition needs all entrants to have South African citizenship and maintain exemplary means of behavior.
Miss South Africa Statements
“Miss South African entrants must be South African residents. And in control of a valid South African ID record or passport. If an applicant maintains dual citizenship, they must deliver details of both on the entrance form.
“By entering to contest for the identification of Miss South Africa 2024, you will be needed to consent to. And allow the Miss South Africa community, to do a psychological well-being check. Including resilience testing, and background statements to verify details provided in your entry form. And guarantee you are an upstanding resident worthy of describing the country.”
Adetshina voiced her initial excitement upon joining Miss South Africa, only to discover a wave of skepticism concerning her origin and allegiance.
“I was so eager to enter Miss SA and I didn’t consider that distant as to what the people would think. Once I reached the top 16, that’s when I sensed it. People on X were questioning. Why I’m contesting because I’m not South African. They challenged my race, along with my parents.
“I regard all of this as black-on-black hatred, she continued by saying that I’m not the one in this contest with the surname which South Africa. I feel the alert is on me because of my skin tone, which I think is a drawback; it’s also existed something I had to overcome rising.”
Participation in the pageant, Adetshina is a multifaceted person. Who is a representative, a netball participant, and a law scholar at Varsity College. She also supports passionately sports and drives against gender-based violence.