Miss South Africa 2024 Contestant Withdraws Amid Xenophobic Fears

The decision comes in response to escalating controversy and scrutiny over her eligibility for the pageant.

In a statement posted on Instagram on Thursday afternoon, Adetshina, 23, cited safety concerns as the primary reason for her withdrawal. “I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the competition,” she wrote. “The journey has been amazing, but for the safety and wellbeing of my family and me, I must step back.”

The model’s eligibility has been under intense scrutiny, with criticism centering on her Nigerian roots. The controversy intensified after South African Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber accused Adetshina’s mother, who has Mozambican heritage, of identity theft. This accusation followed an investigation requested by the pageant’s organizers.

“Reasons exist to believe that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the person recorded in home affairs records as Chidimma’s mother,” Schreiber stated.

The withdrawal follows weeks of xenophobic attacks and backlash against Adetshina, highlighting the deep-seated tensions regarding nationality and heritage within South Africa. Adetshina was born in South Africa in 2001, and according to post-1995 legislation, any individual born in South Africa is granted citizenship.

Adetshina's exit from the competition underscores the challenges faced by individuals with diverse backgrounds in navigating nationalistic and xenophobic sentiments. The Miss South Africa 2024 pageant now moves forward without one of its prominent contestants, raising questions about inclusivity and representation in such high-profile events.