The South African government has decided to revoke the national identity documents of Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old former Miss South Africa contestant, who recently withdrew from the competition following intense controversy over her nationality.
The government announced this decision on Tuesday after Adetshina and her mother missed a deadline to defend their citizenship status.
Adetshina, a law student born in South Africa to a Nigerian father, faced a wave of xenophobic backlash after being announced as a pageant finalist.
Allegations regarding her mother’s possible misuse of a South African woman’s identity triggered an official investigation, intensifying the scrutiny.
Home Affairs Director General Tommy Makhode informed parliament that Adetshina and her mother were given until Monday to explain why their documents should remain valid, but they failed to meet the deadline.
“We have not received any response and therefore the department will be proceeding with the withdrawal of those documents in line with the Identification Act,” Makhode said.
Adetshina announced her decision to step back from the South African competition, citing concerns over her and her family’s “safety and well-being.”
Recall that In September, she arrived in Nigeria, warmly received and soon claimed victory in a Miss Universe pageant held there. Now, she’s set to represent Nigeria on the global stage at the Miss Universe 2024 competition in Mexico on the 16th of November.
South Africa and Nigeria, the two powerhouses of Africa’s economy, share a longstanding rivalry that stretches across sports, music, regional politics, and even ride-sharing services.