In a surprising turn of events, Chidimma Adetshina has withdrawn from the Miss South Africa pageant, citing concerns for her and her family’s safety and well-being. The decision comes on the heels of a preliminary investigation by South Africa’s home affairs department, which revealed that Adetshina’s mother might have engaged in “identity theft” to obtain South African citizenship.
Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student, shared her decision through an Instagram post. She explained that although she was born in Soweto and grew up in Cape Town, her father is Nigerian, and her mother is South African with Mozambican roots. This complex background has been at the center of intense scrutiny and debate on social media, with some questioning her South African identity.
The controversy reached a tipping point when the Miss South Africa organizers requested an official investigation by the home affairs department. On Wednesday, the department reported that it had uncovered evidence suggesting that Adetshina’s mother may have used a stolen identity to secure South African nationality. However, the department clarified that Adetshina herself was not involved in any unlawful activities, as she was a child at the time of the alleged incidents. Further investigations are ongoing, including potential legal ramifications for Adetshina’s citizenship status.
In her Instagram statement, Adetshina chose not to address the findings directly but emphasized her decision to withdraw was made for her own safety and the well-being of her family. She expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support she had received and extended her best wishes to the remaining contestants, affirming, “Whoever wears the crown, represents us all.”