South Africans launch petition to prevent Chidimma Adetshina from competing in Miss Universe

Chidimma Adetshina is in one other dispute with South Africans. Progressive Forces of South Africa has written a petition to the Miss Universe organisers to halt her participation within the competitors.

Ms Adetshina, at present in Mexico representing Nigeria within the Miss Universe magnificence pageant, might be disqualified if the petition succeeds.

Lebogang Shovhote began a petition on change.org titled ‘Chidimma Adetshina mustn’t take part in Miss Universe’ for the Progressive Forces of South Africa on Wednesday.

Justifying the petition, Ms Shovhote wrote, “We’re scripting this letter on behalf of everybody who stands for justice to plead with you, Miss Universe, as an organisation, to rethink the contestant, Miss Nigeria Universe, and if attainable, to cancel her entry”.

The petition comes a day after the Division of Residence Affairs introduced that Ms Adetshina and her mom’s South African id and journey paperwork could be revoked after they did not justify the validity of their paperwork.

As of press time, 954 signatures have been recorded, and the goal is 1000.

Ms Adetshina, who received the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant after she withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant, was born in 2001 in Soweto’s Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital to a Nigerian father and Mozambican mom, now naturalised South African.

Petition

The group, in its petition, cited prison prices, saying the wonder queen and her Mozambican mom might be going through alleged id theft.

The petition reads, “We’re genuinely excited concerning the upcoming version of the most important occasion within the pageant business since a Miss Universe crown is a career-defining second for title holders worldwide.

“Though we’re excited, we’re significantly involved about Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, whose mom, Anabela Rungo, was discovered responsible of committing id fraud earlier than collaborating in Miss Universe Nigeria.

“A well known activist, Kwena Molekwa, risked her personal life and that of her group, working tirelessly to collect the details concerning this contestant. The South African public was shocked with tales of id fraud, drug dealing, and a wide range of different heinous crimes related to the talked about contestant and her household.

“The Division of Residence Affairs in South Africa was prompted to lodge an investigation after the South African public outcry when it was suspected that the talked about contestant might have obtained her South African identification fraudulently. Overwhelming proof was shared on social media, particularly X, the place it was confirmed past doubt that Anabela Rungo stole the id of a South African youngster, and the affect of id theft had devastating penalties.

“The Nigerian Embassy granted the talked about contestant a diplomatic passport, which ensured a swift escape for herself and her mom, granting her the chance to be a contestant in Miss Universe Nigeria. There was backlash from many South Africans, condemning the Nigerian authorities for internet hosting a citizen who has been discovered responsible of internet hosting individuals who dedicated crimes in South Africa, bringing Nigeria into disrepute.

“Chidimma and her mom have been granted a good likelihood to defend themselves however failed.

Yesterday, on October twenty ninth, 2024, Residence Affairs, by courtroom order, cancelled the identities of Anabela Rungo and Chidimma Adetshina.

“As Progressive Forces of South Africa, we’re scripting this letter on behalf of everybody who stands for justice to plead with you, Miss Universe, as an organisation, to rethink the contestant, Miss Nigeria Universe, and, if attainable, cancel her entry. Miss Universe is a recognized class, integrity, and truthful competitors model.”

The group argued that permitting Ms Adetshina to take part might compromise and spoil the organisation’s integrity.

“Miss Universe is understood for granting a very good platform to ladies from all walks of life to contribute positively to society whereas being the golden key to unlocking countless potentialities. We might hate to see the pageant lose its good picture on account of a contestant whose mom has been discovered responsible of stealing the id of an harmless citizen. Not solely did this contestant carry her personal nation into disrepute, however her participation on this iconic pageant would additionally carry Africa into disrepute. All through this, the contestant, her mom, the embassy of Nigeria and the Nigerian authorities have been boastful and have proven no regret.

“Thanks for studying our letter; we hope you act in the very best pursuits of all contestants and for justice and equity,” the petition added.

Background

Recall in August, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Ms Adetshina, who has a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mom and is now a naturalised South African, turned a central level of South Africa’s debates over xenophobia and nationwide id after reaching the Prime 30 within the Miss South Africa competitors.

Her participation sparked widespread reactions when her marriage ceremony video was unearthed, which South Africans deemed violated the competitors’s tips. The criticism of the video was {that a} married, divorced or nursing mom isn’t eligible to contest for Miss South Africa.

Regardless of a number of criticisms and requires her disqualification, the Miss South Africa organisation’s web site maintains stringent citizenship and moral conduct standards. Surprisingly, the physique initially supported the mannequin.

The outcry by South Africans led the South African authorities to analyze the citizenship standing and eligibility of Ms Adetshina, who was then a finalist within the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant.

Nevertheless, Ms Adetshina withdrew from the competition because of the backlash and was invited to take part within the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, which she received in September. This made her eligible to take part within the Miss Universe pageant scheduled for Mexico.