Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina, a 23-year-old South African model and beauty pageant contestant, has withdrawn from the Miss South Africa 2024 competition.
Despite being one of the top 16 finalists, her journey took an unexpected turn due to public protestation over her nationality and allegations against her mother.
Adetshina's decision to withdraw came just days before the final event scheduled for August 10, 2024. The controversy began when the Department of Home Affairs announced an investigation into claims that her mother may have stolen a South African woman's identity.
This revelation led to a wave of xenophobic backlash, with many questioning Adetshina's eligibility to represent South Africa.
Chidimma:
8 August 2024
I would like to start off by thanking everyone who has stood beside me right from the start of my Miss South Africa journey. I'm really grateful for all the love and support I have been shown.
Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey however, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I. With the support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish my fellow finalists all of the best for the remainder of the competition. Whoever wears the crown represents us all.
In a heartfelt statement, Adetshina expressed that the decision was made to protect herself and her family amidst the growing tensions. She described her participation in the competition as an "amazing journey" but emphasized the need to prioritize her family's safety and well-being.
The Miss South Africa organization, known for its role in empowering young South African women and serving as a platform for leadership and social change, faced significant scrutiny during this period.
The competition, which typically features twelve finalists, had already been reduced to ten crown chasers for the live event.
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