The South African government has revoked the citizenship documents of Chidimma Adetshina, a former Miss South Africa contestant who withdrew from the pageant amid controversy.
Adetshina, 23, faced allegations of not being a true South African, sparking a public outcry and a government investigation.
Born to a Nigerian father, Adetshina withdrew from the pageant in August following xenophobic backlash.
South African authorities later questioned the legitimacy of her and her mother’s identity documents, alleging her mother may have assumed the identity of a South African woman.
Director General of Home Affairs, Tommy Makhode, confirmed Tuesday that the government would cancel their documents after they failed to respond by a set deadline.
“We will proceed with the withdrawal of those documents in line with the Identification Act,” Makhode said in a parliamentary statement.
Amid the backlash, Adetshina relocated to Nigeria, where she recently won a Miss Universe pageant.
She is set to represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe 2024 competition in Mexico this November.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between South Africa and Nigeria, the continent’s two largest economies, where rivalry often extends into cultural and social spheres.
