A Tale of Two Cities, and Maybe Even More

 A Tale of Two Cities, and Maybe Even More

By Xolani Qotoyi

images from the respective model's Instagram pages.

The recent controversy surrounding a Miss South Africa contestant, Chidinma Adetshina, has sparked heated debates online, highlighting deep-seated issues around identity, xenophobia, and representation. Adetshina, born to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, has been accused of fraud and identity theft during her registration for the contest, raising questions about the legitimacy of her participation.

What began as a mere complaint quickly escalated into a broader discussion fueled by longstanding online feuds between South Africans and Nigerians, touching on everything from sports to music and beyond. The debates have revolved around xenophobia, Afrophobia, colorism, and double standards, with comparisons being drawn to another contestant, Sherry Wang, who also faced controversy. Wang, of Chinese descent, became the subject of debate due to questions about her cultural heritage and eligibility. With her parents originally from China, her participation ignited discussions about diversity and representation in South African beauty contests.

While Wang faced some scrutiny, the backlash against Adetshina was far more severe, raising important questions about societal biases in South Africa. Are South Africans more lenient towards lighter-skinned foreigners, and does this reflect broader societal prejudices? The disparity in the intensity of the criticism suggests a possible double standard in how foreign nationals are perceived and treated in the country.

In the wake of the controversy, Chidinma Adetshina withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant and has since joined a Nigerian beauty pageant. Meanwhile, Sherry Wang was eliminated from the competition. The title of Miss South Africa 2024 was eventually won by Mia Le Roux, who made history as the country's first deaf pageant winner, representing the disabled community, including the excluded.