SocialMediaTrends: Fresh row trails Adetshina’s World Miss Universe dreams

South Africans have called on organizers of the Miss World Universe to remove Chidimma Adetshina, the Miss Universe Nigeria, from the global pageant over an alleged identify theft case involving her mother.

Local media reports that the Miss Universe Nigeria beauty queen is on the verge of losing her South African citizenship as well as her travel documents amid a nationality dispute.

The South African Department of Home Affairs began investigating her case after she became a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant, but faced criticism as people questioned her eligibility to compete because her mother has Mozambican roots and her father is Nigerian.

An official of the South African Department of Home Affairs, Tommy Makhode, on Wednesday, told a parliamentary committee about the plan to withdraw Adetshina’s identity documents.

Adetshina who has been at the centre of a fierce nationality row, withdrew from the Miss South Africa beauty pageant in August after the department announced that her mother might have committed “identity theft” to become a South African national, but went on to win Miss Universe Nigeria after she was invited to participate by the organisers.

Meanwhile, many South Africans have petitioned the organizers of the World Miss Universe scheduled to hold in Mexico on November 16 with a view to remove Adetshina from the competition.

Read some of the comments below:

“It is time for South African government to flag her and her mother and report them at interpol. This Nigerian called Chidimma Adetshina can’t escape like that, she has a fraud case to Answer.” – @ZiyaMadlakes

“So a certain South African group has launched a petition on Change org to urge Miss Universe global to remove Chidimma Adetshina from the competition. According to this group, allowing her to participate would “tarnish” their reputation and Africa’s own. This is witchcraft.” – @TheLydiaLadej

“To the Miss Universe Organization,
We, the undersigned, respectfully urge you to carefully consider Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina role as an ambassador for @MissUniverse @sheynnisoficial .
An ambassador should embody compassion and support, particularly for those facing adversity. We highlight the case of a young Black South African girl whose life has been profoundly impacted for the past 22 years due to her identity being stolen by Chidimma’s mother. This grave injustice has not only caused extensive suffering but has also led to her inability to obtain her identity documents, access education, and secure many other basic rights. The repercussions of this situation have left deep emotional and psychological scars that affect her daily life.
While Chidimma may claim she was initially unaware of this situation, we believe this to be untrue. Upon learning of the girl’s struggles, she had a moral obligation to take responsibility, extend an apology, and advocate for justice. An ambassador who chooses to ignore the suffering of a fellow woman can not truly represent the values we expect from Miss Universe.
Compassion, empathy, and accountability must guide our representatives. It is crucial for an ambassador to not only recognize but actively respond to the pain of others, particularly those in vulnerable positions. Maintaining an ambassador who fails to uphold these values sends a troubling message about the organization’s commitment to justice and solidarity among women.
We urge you to consider the implications of endorsing an ambassador who does not demonstrate genuine care for those who suffer, especially a fellow woman. The Miss Universe Organization has the opportunity to stand firmly with those in need, reinforcing the importance of compassion in leadership.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.” – @Miz_Ruraltarain

“Something is weird about this Chidimma Adetshina case. It feels like she has become a scapegoat so that the department can make us believe it is doing its job when it comes to immigration issues. Where is the indepth update on the case? Something’s off here.” – @Thandz_Buti

“What? I am only noting that the department doesn’t appear to be fully transparent about this case. And I suspect that they jumped the gun due to the huge public interest. Why are they not releasing the findings of their investigation?” – @Thandz_Buti

“Are you being serious now? Reports have been made public about the case. People commit crime, when they are dealt with you take their side. What are you smoking?” – @skhalos23

“The last report said an investigation is underway, a few weeks later they travelled to Nigeria using SA Documents, now they are being cancelled because she and her mom didn’t make a case to argue against the cancellation, there is no arrest pending or criminal charge.” – @NashMcRonzie

“Assuming this is true. When given an opportunity to give clarity. Why run. Why has her mom never faced authorities. My take. The story is real, very real. But now it comes in handy to use as a smoke screen so we forget about the other issue. Chichi is a scammer.” – @Twiggli

“I am even getting the feeling that her family kinda knows that everything on their side is in order and they are just waiting for an opportunity to sue the state for millions. Like how does a 23-year old get so abused without the protection of the state at all.” – @UnathiAfrika

“But it is now no longer a Home Affairs issue, the matter has been redirected to the relevant authorities through the NPA and the Hawks who are enabled by legislature to conduct further investigations.” – @dodo1731416

“She will then still be a persona non grata in SA. And we know that many Nigerians can’t keep away from SA shores. She’s bound to slip esp if she attempts to use SA documents to enter other countries.” – @dodo1731416

“Nothing is off, she and her mother are frauds. But yes there are many criminal cases happening at home affairs, that we should be dealing with, yes they should be closing borders, banning foreigners, canceling visas, but they doing the opposite. But nothing is off with de case.” – @MelvinDoski

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now