Chidimma Adetshina is a 23-year-old law student and the finalist in the Miss SA pageant. Her citizenship status has been debated as if it were on trial. As she was born of Nigerian and Mozambican heritage, the case raises questions about her eligibility for representation in SA, so consequently, her nationality will be questioned.
Her South African citizenship has come under attack over allegations of identity theft involving her mother. The development saw her pull out from the Miss South Africa contest, stating one of the reasons as a threat to the safety of her family members.
After she was announced as a pageant finalist, the Department of Home Affairs launched an inquiry into her citizenship amid public outcry over her eligibility because her mother had Mozambican roots and her father was born in Nigeria. The furore had xenophobic undertones for South Africa. For Adetshina, that means probably starting therapy to get through the emotional roller coaster.
On Tuesday, the Department of Home Affairs told a parliamentary committee that it had withdrawn Adetshina’s identity papers. The department’s top civil servant, Tommy Makhode, revealed that Adetshina’s mother would equally be subjected to document cancellation as both failed to meet a deadline to justify their eligibility to retain their citizenship.
As if all these were not enough, Adetshina received an invitation to represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe competition despite all the controversies over her citizenship. This sudden turn of events has further raised the stakes regarding her status.
