Chidimma Adetshina, a South African law student, has become the target of online abuse after being named a finalist in the prestigious Miss South Africa competition. This backlash has highlighted underlying xenophobic sentiments in the nation.
At just 23 years old, Adetshina’s Nigerian heritage, linked to her father, has sparked controversy, despite her mother being South African. Critics have taken to social media, with one user urging her to “pack and go home.” However, Adetshina identifies as South African, having been born in Soweto and raised in Cape Town.
The hostility culminated in a petition demanding her removal from the competition, which gathered over 14,000 signatures before being deleted. Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie weighed in, expressing his disapproval of Nigerians in the Miss South Africa race, stating on social media that he needed more information but felt unsettled by the situation.
This controversy transcends Adetshina’s participation; it reflects a broader issue of xenophobia in South Africa. Adetshina has spoken out about the hate she faces, questioning her place as an ambassador for her country amid such animosity. She described the situation as a form of “black-on-black hate,” pointing to a phenomenon called “afrophobia,” which targets fellow Africans.
Interestingly, she isn’t the only contestant facing scrutiny for her name’s roots, as some of her peers also have foreign-sounding names. However, the bulk of the criticism has been directed at her.
A spokesperson for the Miss South Africa organization affirmed her eligibility to compete but did not address the online abuse directly. The backlash against contestants of foreign descent isn’t new; last year’s contestant Melissa Nayimuli experienced similar vitriol due to her Ugandan father, emphasizing the pattern of discrimination against individuals of African descent.
Nayimuli recalls her upbringing in South Africa, where she felt the need to prove her identity amid persistent afrophobia. Her story resonates deeply within a context of historical racism, which sociologist Dr. Nombulelo Shange ties to South Africa’s apartheid past. There’s a lingering “apartheid mentality,” and as Dr. Shange observes, many South Africans have internalized oppressive views regarding skin color and ethnic background.
Despite the government’s efforts post-apartheid to foster unity among African nations, frustrations due to economic struggles have intensified tensions with foreign nationals. This atmosphere has led to accusations against immigrants for supposedly taking jobs and resources away from South Africans.
Michael Morris from the South African Institute of Race Relations warns that rising resentment towards African migrants could incite further violence, as witnessed during the significant outbreaks of xenophobic violence in 2008. Some South Africans believe that those from across the continent do not belong, exacerbating the ongoing divide.
Previously, Nayimuli faced harsh realities, such as her father being wrongfully arrested due to his appearance. These incidents have instilled a sense of urgency in addressing the xenophobia entwined with identity in South Africa.
As Ms. Adetshina prepares to take the Miss South Africa stage next Saturday, it remains to be seen how she will address the comments or if she will continue to rise above the negativity targeted at her.
