Six hundred South Africans have signed a petition calling on the organisers of the Miss Universe pageant to disqualify Chidimma Adetshina from participating in the event billed for November 16.
Adetshina pulled out of the Miss South Africa in July contest due to concerns raised about her nationality, but she was admitted by the organisers of the Miss Universe Nigeria to contest, and she won the right to represent Nigeria in Mexico. She arrived there on Thursday and brimming with confidence.
But that confidence has seemed to have been shaken by the petition organised by the Progressive Forces of South Africa. They want Adetshina to be removed from the list of contestants based on the fact that the Department of Home Affairs is posed to revoke her South African identity and travel documents and that of her family.
Adetshina was born 2001 at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South African to a Nigerian father and mother of Mozambique decent. The mother was accused of fraudulently obtaining South African citizen.
According to reports by IOL Adetshina’s parents did not appear before a Home Affairs panel last Monday, to explain why they should be allowed to keep their South African documents.
“As Progressive Forces of South Africa, we are writing this letter on behalf of everyone who stands for justice to plead with you, Miss Universe as an organisation to reconsider the contestant, Miss Nigeria Universe and if possible, to cancel her entry.
“Miss Universe is a known brand of class, integrity and fair competition … We would hate to see the pageant losing its good image due to a contestant whose mother has been found guilty of stealing the identity of an innocent victim,” Progressive Forces of South Africa wrote.
However, organisers of Miss Universe Nigeria sent Adetshina their support: “We send our brightest wishes and unwavering support! May Nigeria’s vibrant spirit shine through you. Represent us with pride, strength, and grace. Bring home the crown!”
