Chidimma Adetshina: South Africans didn’t accept me because of my Igbo name

Chidimma Adetshina, the recently crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, has revealed why she withdrew from the South African beauty pageant.

The model sparked controversy during this year’s Miss South Africa pageant due to her nationality.

This led to a surge of criticism on social media, particularly from South Africans. Chidimma would later withdraw from the Miss South Africa contest.

In a recent interview with Silverbird TV, the model said she was not accepted by South Africans “because of my Igbo name”.

Chidimma described her experience during the South African beauty pageant as “horrible and heartbreaking”.

The 23-year-old added that she is “proudly Nigerian” despite being born in South Africa.

“It all started because of my name. People were not happy that my name is Chidimma and I am representing South Africa,” she said.

“South Africans felt like I wasn’t South African enough because of my name. It was really sad to see and it was a very horrible experience that I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.

“I have lived there for 23 years and it’s heartbreaking to see that I wasn’t welcomed and accepted. There were certain things that happened behind the scenes that made me withdraw.

“It was heartbreaking that I had to withdraw close to the finale but a decision had to be made and it really hit social media as well.

“But what I know is that I was born in South Africa and I am a South African. I am still proudly Nigerian as well.”

On August 14, the model accepted the invitation to participate in this year’s Miss Universe Nigeria pageant. She was crowned the winner of the 2024 pageant on Saturday.

Chidimma was born in 2001 in Soweto at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

Her father is of Igbo descent while some reports said her mother is a Mozambican who had become a naturalized citizen of South Africa.