South Africa’s Government To Revoke Citizenship And ID Documents Of Miss Universe Contestant And Her Mother After Withdrawal from Pageant Amid Xenophobic Backlash
South Africa is set to revoke the citizenship and national id documents of Chidimma Adetshina, a former Miss South Africa contestant, and her mother, according to a government announcement on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old, born in South Africa to a Nigerian father, withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant in August amid intense public scrutiny and accusations that she was not a legitimate citizen. Following her exit, the South African government launched an investigation into her citizenship status, stoking controversy and exposing underlying anti-foreigner sentiments in the country.
The Department of Home Affairs issued a deadline, which passed Monday, requiring Adetshina and her mother to justify their right to hold South African identification documents. With no response received, the department will now cancel their IDs in line with the Identification Act, said Home Affairs Director General Tommy Makhode in a parliamentary briefing.
This move comes as Adetshina’s Nigerian heritage attracted xenophobic backlash from some South Africans. Additionally, government officials are examining claims that her mother may have used the identity of a South African woman.
In a statement prior to her withdrawal, Adetshina cited “safety and wellbeing” concerns for her and her family. She later returned to Nigeria in September, where she was welcomed with open arms and went on to win a Miss Universe Nigeria title. Adetshina is now set to represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe 2024 competition, taking place in Mexico on November 16.
The dispute underscores ongoing tensions between South Africa and Nigeria, Africa’s two largest economies, where rivalry often spills over into sports, music, regional politics, and other areas.
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