23-year-old Chidimma Vanessa Onwe, a South African law student, has faced significant backlash over her Nigerian heritage after making it to the top 13 in the ongoing Miss South Africa (Miss SA) pageant.
Chidimma, who was born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother, and raised in Soweto, has been subjected to criticism from some South Africans who argue that she is not qualified to compete in the pageant due to her Nigerian roots.
Social media users have been vocal about their disapproval, with many claiming that her Nigerian ancestry disqualifies her from representing South Africa in the competition. Additionally, there have been questions about why the Miss South Africa organization allowed her to enter.
In response to the xenophobic remarks, the Miss SA organization has affirmed that Chidimma met all the necessary requirements to participate in the pageant. Speaking to journalists,
The organization stated, “All documentation provided by the entrants is screened and vetted. 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.”
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According to Miss SA eligibility criteria, contestants must be South African citizens and possess a valid ID or passport. If a contestant holds dual citizenship, relevant documents for both must be provided. The South African Citizenship Act stipulates that citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, or naturalization, with individuals born in the country being eligible if their parents are permanent residents.
Despite the controversy, Chidimma’s inclusion in the pageant remains valid under the current guidelines, emphasizing her rightful place in the competition.
