South Africa vs Nigeria: Online clash escalates over pageantry controversy

The internet has been ablaze in the last few days with heated clashes between South Africans and Nigerians, sparked by the controversy surrounding the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant.

The debate intensified after a finalist of Nigerian descent, Chidimma Adetshina, withdrew from the competition amid accusations against her mother involving fraud and identity theft.

Adetshina, 23, who was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent, faced significant backlash on social media due to her Nigerian heritage.

The controversy reached a boiling point when the South African Home Affairs Ministry launched an investigation, uncovering indications that her mother might have committed identity theft.

In response, Adetshina made the difficult decision to withdraw from the competition for the safety and well-being of her family.

“After much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I,” Adetshina announced on Instagram on Thursday (8 August).

Her withdrawal ignited a firestorm of reactions on social media, with many South Africans voicing strong opinions.

South African singer Tyla expressed her disappointment in how Adetshina was treated, saying, “I will always stand with South Africa; I just feel regardless of the opinions… She was bullied, and that’s what I don’t stand for.”

Tyla’s comments, however, did not sit well with some South African users on X.

One user, ChrisExcel, responded, “We supported you when Nigerians bullied you… And this is how you thank us. One Grammy award and you already think that your voice matters.”

Other South Africans shared similar sentiments, with some accusing Tyla of defending criminality.

“She wasn’t bullied. She was about to benefit from crime. Which part don’t you understand, Tyla?” wrote user Master.

The controversy did not stop there. Following Adetshina’s exit, a descendant of the Dutch settlers known as Boers, a minority white population in South Africa, Mia Le Roux, was crowned the Miss South Africa 2024 title on Saturday.

Le Roux, who is the first deaf woman to win the title, received mixed reactions on social media. Some celebrated her victory, while others saw it as a reflection of racial tensions in South Africa.

Nigerian Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy also weighed in on the controversy, mocking the outcome on his X account.

“So after all that…” he posted, along with a photo of Le Roux and a laughing emoji. Burna Boy’s comment seemingly referenced the earlier attacks on Adetshina and highlighted the racial undertones of the pageant.

Many Nigerians were quick to join the conversation, with some expressing their disbelief at Le Roux’s victory.

“Is that not a colonial master’s daughter? Mandela must be shaking right now,” one user, Nwafresh, posted.

Another user, David Hundeyin in a post on Saturday said, “I can see her credit score all the way from Ikeja.”

MA LE BO @Melo_Malebo said, “Miss South Africa is really big on inclusivity. You have my respect. Congratulations Mia. You’re a living proof anyone can do it.”

Damilare Odulesi @DamilareOdulesi said, “Congratulations to Mia. But let me ask, is this what you South Africans want? No hatred to Mia, but I thought a black-skinned SA queen would eventually wear this crown. Is it Nigerians you hate or you just hate fellow black skins generally including your own self?”

Safiyanu @_Sufy2 said, “South Africans would hate on their fellow black Africans people, but worship the whites cause they already believed they’re inferior to the whites.”

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