With South Africa divided in half on the public debate about one of Miss SA finalists, Chidimma Adetshina, and online petitions created to seek her removal from the pageant because of her heritage, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have expressed their solidarity with the finalist.
The controversy around Chidimma was sparked when it was revealed that she was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and Mozambican mother with South African roots, even though the Miss SA organisation confirmed that she is a South African citizen with an ID.
Speaking to Daily Sun, EFF spokesperson, Leigh-Ann Mathys said, “Firstly, Chidimma’s eligibility to compete for the Miss South Africa title should never have been questioned, as the competition performed due diligence to verify the status of all contestants. Secondly, the intense scrutiny and vitriol aimed at Chidimma reveal a continued colonised mindset among many South Africans.”
With the ongoing debate about Chidimma participating as Miss SA finalist, a video of the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, was shared on X (formerly Twitter) speaking to 947 about this matter.
Gayton McKenzie speaks about the Nigerians contestant trying her luck in South Africa.#Chidimma Xenophobic Pearl Thusi Lerato Kganyago #ANCNEC SAPS Soweto Panyaza Lesufi Helen Zille Caster Semenya Lekau Sandton City Home Affairs Fikile Mbalula #MissSA2024 Miss SA pic.twitter.com/PTNLf4XG56
— Brandon (@Umalumewabantu) August 1, 2024
While another X user said:
Her name is Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina Onwe, our Miss SA 2024. South Africa stands with Chidimma #Chidimma pic.twitter.com/74rr55bJEn
— Thuso van Zyl???? (@Thuso1Africa) August 1, 2024
Also see: Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina says the man in viral interview is not her dad
