Former Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina has been invited to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina exits amid mother’s fraud allegations
The 23-year-old Adetshina announced her exit from the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant after Home Affairs released a scathing statement regarding her citizenship earlier this week.
Since her selection as a finalist, Adetshina was repeatedly questioned by netizens due to her Nigerian father and Mozambican mother. On Wednesday, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) said it found prima facie indications of fraud committed by Chidimma Adetshina’s mother.
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On Thursday, she announced on Instagram that she withdrew from the pageant. ‘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,’ she said.
On Friday, Miss Universe Nigeria invited her to participate in their pageant.
‘We at Miss Universe Nigeria have been closely following the developments regarding your decision to bow out of the Miss South Africa beauty pageant,’ it said in an online statement.
‘We acknowledge the circumstances surrounding your withdrawal and understand the challenges you may be facing.
‘In light of these events, we want to extend our support and encouragement. We believe your journey in the world of pageantry is far from over and that there are still numerous opportunities for you to showcase your talent, grace and beauty,’ it continued.
‘As a Nigerian by heritage, we would like to formally invite you to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant. This is an opportunity to represent your father’s native land on an international stage, and we believe you would be an outstanding contender.’
South African netizens responded positively to the news on social media, stating they would fully support Adetshina’s journey:
- ‘Absolutely no hate for you Chichi Vanessa from we just wanted you to represent a correct culture, you do not speak nor practice any of SA cultures, and none of your family members do, it would have been unfair for you to represent 62 million of people you don’t know anything about their lifestyle, we will support your Miss Nigeria journey and vote for you, we will always welcome you back in SA, you were born here and rightfully belong to SA in terms of staying, but. Being Miss SA is just not that thing that you can stand for, may you win Miss Nigeria’
- ‘South Africans, let’s vote for her to prove that we have quality exports here in South Africa.’
- ‘I’m so happy for her, people don’t understand that as South Africans we don’t hate this girl we just don’t want her to represent our country. she can go to Miss Nigeria we will support her’
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Also read:
Home Affairs finds possible fraud by Chidimma Adetshina’s mother
Picture: Chidimma Adetshina / Instagram