23-year-old South African law student Chidimma Vanessa Onwe has faced backlash over her nationality after making it to the top 13 in the ongoing Miss South Africa (Miss SA) pageant.
Chidimma, born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother, and raised in Soweto, has been subjected to abuse from some South Africans who claim she is not qualified to contest in the pageant.
Many social media users have highlighted her Nigerian roots, arguing that she is not South African and should not participate in the pageant.
Others have questioned why the Miss South Africa organisation permitted her to enter the competition.
In response to the xenophobic comments, the Miss SA organisation confirmed that Chidimma has met all the necessary requirements to participate in the pageant.
“All documentation provided by the entrants is screened and vetted,” the statement read. “Chidimma is a South African citizen and has met all the requirements to be a part of the Miss South Africa competition. Her mother is South African (Zulu), and her father is Nigerian.”
According to Miss SA eligibility criteria, contestants must be South African citizens and possess a valid ID or passport. If the contestant holds dual citizenship, documents relating to both must be provided.
An amendment to the South African Citizenship Act states that citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, or naturalisation. By birth means any individual born in the country, provided their parents are permanent residents.
