The recent controversy surrounding model Chidinma Adetshina’s withdrawal from a beauty pageant in South Africa has once again underscored the deep-seated animosity toward Black foreigners. Social media users, particularly from South Africa, ignited a heated debate, arguing that Chidinma, of Nigerian and Mozambican descent, should be disqualified from this year’s Miss South Africa pageant due to her Nigerian heritage.
In a positive turn of events, Chidinma has accepted an invitation to compete in the 2024 Miss Universe Pageant in Nigeria.
Expressing his congratulations to the model, former Super Eagles player Bishop Idah Peterside acknowledged the challenges Chidinma has faced and emphasized the importance of her staying strong, reminding her that she carries Nigerian blood.
Bishop Peterside, who lived in South Africa for 27 years, lamented how the country has deteriorated, describing it as being “destroyed by people without conscience” and “petite in their thinking.” Reflecting on his own experience, he shared, “I started a church there. If I had ill intentions, I wouldn’t have built a structure there but would have taken all the money back to Nigeria. Not everyone in South Africa is xenophobic. I worked with SuperSport for 22 years, and during that time, many people were incredibly kind. However, there are some narrow-minded individuals who have never traveled outside the country and believe South Africa is the only nation in the world.”
Expressing his dismay at the discrimination Chidinma faced, Bishop Peterside said, “It’s shocking and painful to see a young girl being discriminated against. I have a daughter born in South Africa, who holds a South African passport because I also have one, having lived there for 27 years. My concern is, what will happen to my daughter in the future? By law, she has the right to run for president, serve in parliament, own property—she has every right a South African citizen has, but she also carries Nigerian blood. This nonsense needs to stop, especially among those in government. The sad truth is that politicians are often more xenophobic than the citizens themselves. What they promote is what people believe.”
He commended leaders like Julius Malema, saying, “Malema has spoken out for Africa, and that’s the direction we need to take because great leaders always emphasized unity across the continent. We are one. South Africa is fortunate to have benefited from the presence of white settlers who transformed it. My biggest fear is that in 20 years, the nation could become something unimaginable.”
Bishop Peterside urged South African leaders to get their act together before the country declines further, adding, “There are great men and women in South Africa who need to speak out because xenophobia is wrong, absolutely wrong.”
He also recounted how about 60 people attacked and destroyed their church building in South Africa, shouting, “Foreigners, go home!” He said, “This happened in a country I lived in, contributed to, and built up for 27 years. Thank God I’m back in Nigeria, my home, where I feel comfortable. This is why we urge our leaders in Nigeria to take action—because Nigerians face rejection both at home and abroad. It’s deeply unfortunate.”
Thanking the organizers of the Miss Universe Pageant for inviting Chidinma to compete in her homeland, he said, “Chidinma, you will be welcomed here, and I hope to have the privilege of being there to greet you. In Nigeria, we will not discriminate against you. Welcome home, Chidinma. We are looking forward to your arrival and will honor you as a true Nigerian.”
