Former Miss South Africa contestant and Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 winner Chidimma Adetshina says she has been “treated unfairly and targeted” in South Africa as she continues to challenge legal proceedings concerning her citizenship status and possible deportation.
Adetshina spoke in a video seen by First Daily on Thursday, August 20, a day after the Cape Town Regional Court adjourned the case.
She said she was born in South Africa and had continued to use the appropriate legal channels to establish her citizenship status.
Although she said she had faced unfair treatment during the controversy, Adetshina said she would not allow anger to shape her response, insisting that the matter should be resolved through the rule of law.
“I believe that I have been treated unfairly and targeted and there has been an attempt to make me an example. But my message is not going to be one out of anger,” she said.
The former beauty queen also appealed to South Africans to reject xenophobia and misinformation, arguing that people should be treated according to their actual legal and citizenship status.
“South Africa is governed by the rule of law and we should not allow xenophobia and misinformation to determine how people are going to be treated. We should all be guided by the spirit of Ubuntu,” she added.
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The Cape Town Regional Court has adjourned the case until February 27, 2027. Adetshina is challenging efforts to detain her as part of proceedings that could lead to her deportation.
She maintains that she was born in Soweto, South Africa, and has pursued the relevant legal processes to establish her citizenship status.
Adetshina said she would continue to comply with the legal process and accept the eventual outcome.
“Throughout this ordeal I have availed myself of all appropriate legal laws and I will continue to respect and abide by each process,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to her family, friends, supporters and legal representatives for standing by her throughout the dispute.
The citizenship controversy has continued to follow Adetshina since her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant, after questions were raised about her nationality and eligibility.
She later represented Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant after withdrawing from the South African competition.