23-year-old Chidimma Vanessa Onwe, a law student from South Africa, has been at the center of controversy due to her Nigerian heritage after advancing to the top 13 in the ongoing Miss South Africa (Miss SA) pageant.
Chidimma, who was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a South African mother, has been subjected to a barrage of criticism from some South Africans questioning her eligibility to compete in the pageant.
Critics on social media have focused on her Nigerian roots, arguing that she does not qualify as a South African and should not be allowed to participate in the competition. Questions have also been raised about the Miss SA organization’s decision to include her.
In response to the xenophobic comments circulating online, the Miss SA organization addressed the issue, affirming that Chidimma meets all the necessary criteria to compete.
In a statement to the press, the organization clarified, “Chidimma is a South African citizen who has fulfilled all the requirements to participate in the Miss South Africa competition. Her mother is South African (Zulu), and her father is Nigerian.”
According to the eligibility criteria set by Miss SA, contestants must hold South African citizenship and provide valid identification, including passports if applicable for dual citizens.
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Under the South African Citizenship Act, citizenship can be obtained through birth, descent, or naturalization. Birthright citizenship applies to individuals born in the country, provided their parents are permanent residents.