By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Chidimma Adetshina, a former contestant in the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant, has announced her decision to permanently relocate to Nigeria due to personal reasons.
The announcement comes shortly after the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa revealed that Chidimma’s mother, a Mozambican national, has been banned from entering the country. Investigations uncovered that she had committed identity fraud by obtaining a legitimate South African ID in 1995 under a stolen identity. This ID was used to register Chidimma’s birth, complicating her citizenship status.
Chidimma, who recently earned the title of first princess at the Miss Universe pageant, faced significant backlash during her participation in the Miss SA competition. Just two days before the event, she withdrew amid growing public scrutiny regarding her citizenship. Despite the controversy, many South Africans supported her, asserting that their support was not rooted in xenophobia.
After her withdrawal from Miss SA, Chidimma received an invitation to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, where she ultimately triumphed.
In a press conference following her victory, she expressed pride in her achievements and indicated that she plans to focus on her studies and personal development in Nigeria.
“I am really proud of where I got to. I feel like not only did I make myself proud, but I made Nigeria proud and Africa proud. This is the end of the road. I am hoping to further my studies and get to better myself,” Chidimma’s stated.
Over the weekend she was crowned first runner-up at the Miss Universe beauty pageant in Mexico. She was the only contestant from an African country to make it to the top 10 on the top 30 list.
Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, in a statement confirmed the indefinite ban on Chidimma’s mother, noting that her passport has been V-listed, which prohibits her from entering South Africa. Schreiber emphasized that investigations into the matter are ongoing, particularly regarding her mother’s travel history.
The situation has drawn criticism from political figures, including Lerato Ngobeni, ActionSA parliamentary chief whip, who questioned the department’s oversight in allowing Chidimma’s mother to travel abroad while under investigation for identity fraud.
As Chidimma’s embarks on this new chapter in Nigeria, she aims to establish her identity and contribute positively to her home country, leaving behind a complex legacy in South Africa.