Nationality and Identity in South African Pageantry: A Case of Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina

What truly defines someone’s nationality? Is it their name or the place they were born? This question has sparked a heated debate in South Africa, centered around model Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina, who is being asked to withdraw from a competition due to her parents’ origin.

Chidimma, a South African-born model, faces pressure to drop out of the Miss South Africa pageant because of her Nigerian heritage. This controversy raises questions about national identity in a country where many families move abroad for better opportunities. The paradox lies in celebrating South Africans like Trevor Noah and Tyla for their international success while rejecting a Nigerian-born South African in a local pageant

Despite meeting the pageant’s requirements, Chidimma faces backlash from xenophobic South Africans. The Miss South Africa team released a statement confirming her eligibility, yet the criticism persists. Notably, other contestants of Asian and European descent do not face the same scrutiny, highlighting a selective xenophobia among some South Africans.

The inconsistency is glaring. South Africans are quick to support white contestants like Hellen Zille, whose parents are German, while rejecting a black contestant like Chidimma due to her Nigerian roots. This selective xenophobia undermines the nation’s inclusive ideals and reveals a deep-seated issue of self-hate.

This is not an isolated incident. In 2021, Jolidee Matongo, son of a Zimbabwean migrant, faced opposition upon his election as Mayor of Johannesburg. His tragic death in a car accident a month later only intensified the discourse. Contrarily, Hellen Zille, born to German parents, served as Mayor and Premier of Western Cape with broad acceptance, showcasing the privileges associated with being a white South African.

If Chidimma is legally South African, her participation in the pageant should not be an issue. The acceptance of other foreign-born individuals like cricket legend Imran Tahir, born in Pakistan, further emphasizes the inconsistency. South Africa’s struggle with xenophobia, especially against fellow Africans, calls for a reflection on true national identity and inclusivity.