Newly crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Vannesa Adetshina, has tearfully recounted her recent struggles in South Africa. Adetshina, who withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant amid controversy over her nationality and allegations of identity theft against her mother, shared her painful experience in an interview.
She revealed that her rejection by South Africans was due to her name. “South Africans felt I wasn’t ‘South African enough’ because of my name, and it was truly difficult to endure,” she said. “It was a very horrible experience, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, especially since I have lived there for 23 years. It’s heartbreaking to feel so unwelcome and unaccepted.”
When asked about the allegations of identity theft against her mother, Adetshina chose not to comment. “There were some statements from Home Affairs concerning my mom’s ID, but that remains a legal matter, so I won’t discuss it. What I do know is that I was born in South Africa, and I am still South African while proudly Nigerian,” she added.
