SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa Addresses Diplomatic Ties with Nigeria Following Miss SA Contestant Controversy

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

South Africa’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ronald Lamola, has reassured that the controversy involving Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina, who has Nigerian heritage, does not affect the country’s diplomatic relations with Nigeria.

Chidimma, who was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father, withdrew from the pageant after an investigation revealed her mother, a Mozambican, might have fraudulently obtained South African residency. The incident sparked significant outrage on social media, particularly after a Caucasian contestant won the pageant.

However, Lamola clarified that the situation was strictly related to pageant eligibility rules, stating, “These are things related to that process and should not be interpreted to mean that it’s outside or it’s a reflection on South Africa’s foreign diplomatic relations with Nigeria.” He emphasized that the relationship between South Africa and Nigeria remains strong and continues to deepen.

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Chioma Ndukwu

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