Miss South Africa 2024 Adetshina entered
Miss South Africa 2024, but following an investigation by the
Department of Home Affairs into her mother's citizenship, she withdrew from the pageant, citing concerns for her safety and well-being. The investigation later allegedly uncovered preliminary evidence of fraud and identity theft related to her mother's acquisition of South African citizenship in 2001. It was claimed that she was unable to participate in the contest due to the pending case.
Controversy Adetshina's participation in the Miss South Africa pageant faced scrutiny due to questions about her citizenship and eligibility. Concerns were raised regarding her dual citizenship of South Africa and Nigeria, leading the South African Department of Home Affairs to investigate her background. The investigation allegedly revealed preliminary evidence suggesting potential issues with her mother's acquisition of South African citizenship. It was said that the Department of Home Affairs planned to take further action, which may had included potential criminal charges based on the investigation's findings. Adetshina garnered support from the public who saw her as a representation of South Africa's
diverse population. A South African far-left political party, the
Economic Freedom Fighters, publicly defended her, calling for an end to
xenophobia in South Africa and advocating for inclusivity. While other parties, namely the
African National Congress and the
Patriotic Alliance The Miss South Africa pageant maintained that Adetshina had fulfilled all the requirements to participate in the competition. In October 2024, the Department of Home Affairs of South Africa revoked her South African identity papers following an investigation into her mother's origins.
Aftermath Due to the victimisation of Adetshina by South Africans, the organizers of the Puebla
Festival de las Ideas withdrew its invitations to the South African panelists and guests in 2024. The managers cited in its letter on
X that the removal was due to South Africa's undermining of the very principle of justice and equality, as well as human dignity that the festival sought to maintain. The country was no longer listed as the featured country at the festival that took place in Mexico. Following the Miss Universe 2024 event, Chidimma stated of moving to settle in Nigeria. In a BBC Pidgin interview after the pageantry, Adetshina confirmed that she would be retiring from the beauty-queen phase of her life with a new focus on education.
Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 On 31 August 2024, Adetshina, represented
Taraba State and won
Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, at the
Eko Hotels and Suites,
Victoria Island, Lagos. Competing against 24 other contestants, the event was broadcast on
GOtv and YouTube. Adetshina proceeded to represent Nigeria at
Miss Universe in Mexico, in November 2024.
Miss Universe 2024 Adetshina represented Nigeria at Miss Universe 2024, on 16 November 2024, at the Arena CDMX in
Mexico City. Adetshina was first runner-up, against contestants from 126 countries. Denmark's
Victoria Kjær Theilvig won the contest. Adetshina's placement is Nigeria's highest at Miss Universe.
Miss Universe Africa and Oceania Adetshina was also crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania as the highest ranked African Contestant of 2024. == References ==