By Chidirim Ndeche
09 November 2024 |
4:30 am
Chidimma Adetshina’s path to the Miss Universe stage has been paved with moments of rejection and triumph. From facing xenophobic backlash in South Africa to embracing her heritage as Miss Universe Nigeria, she has learned to turn adversity into strength, while redefining what it means to be a global beauty ambassador. Chidimma Adetshina’s journey to…
Chidimma Adetshina’s path to the Miss Universe stage has been paved with moments of rejection and triumph. From facing xenophobic backlash in South Africa to embracing her heritage as Miss Universe Nigeria, she has learned to turn adversity into strength, while redefining what it means to be a global beauty ambassador.
Chidimma Adetshina’s journey to continental acclaim was fraught with pain: the pain of seeing the people she had known all her life as her community disclaiming her nationality and slandering her name. It only took her contesting for Miss Universe South Africa for her to feel the heat from the simmering xenophobic sentiments many Nigerians living in the country legitimately are all too familiar with.
But Chidimma Adetshina isn’t just another Nigerian living in South Africa. The 23-year-old law student—born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother—was forced to pull out of the South African contest in July “for the safety of my family” after a backlash exposed anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa. The bare-knuckled antagonism she faced brought her to the national limelight in Nigeria, where she was hitherto unknown.
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Facing ongoing challenges
Rejected and scorned by the people in the land of her birth, her fatherland offered an open arm and crowned her Miss Universe Nigeria. “This has been a tough journey for me, and I am so proud of myself. I’m really grateful for the love and the support,” she said after she won the Nigerian version of the same competition she entered in South Africa. “It was a powerful moment for me.”
She had initially hesitated to compete in the Nigerian competition “too soon” after dropping out of the South African version. Having only visited Nigeria once prior to the invitation to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria, she was uncertain.
“But then again, I’ve always wanted this, and I am a go-getter,” she told BBC Africa. “I felt like, you know what, maybe this is just a second chance. Why not give it a try? That’s the reason why I actually accepted the invitation.”
Now representing Nigeria at the world competition, the beauty queen is still being targeted by South Africans and the country’s authorities.
The South African government said last month it was cancelling Adetshina and her mother’s identification documents after they missed a deadline to justify keeping them.
Adetshina and her mother were given until October 28 to provide reasons why their national identification documents should not be cancelled, Home Affairs Director General Tommy Makhode told a parliamentary committee on October 29.
“We have not received any response and, therefore, the department will be proceeding with the withdrawal of those documents in line with the Identification Act,” Makhode said.
South African cultural analyst Pitika Ntuli told AFP that the Soweto-born beauty queen was “caught in the crossfire” as some South African politicians weaponised anti-foreigner sentiment.
Embracing her Nigerian heritage
Born and raised in South Africa, Adetshina’s roots extend beyond the borders of the country. Her multicultural heritage has always been a significant part of her identity. Yet, growing up, she felt the complexities of belonging to multiple cultures and thought herself to be as South African as anyone else born in the country. The backlash she faced in recent months is not enough to dim the love she has for the country.
“I still see myself proudly South African. I still see myself proudly Nigerian,” she shared. “These are just the little barriers that sort of divide us, which I feel shouldn’t be the case at all.”
It wasn’t until recently that she began to explore her Nigerian background more closely. Having only visited Nigeria once at a very young age, her recent return to the country has opened up new avenues of self-discovery. Last month, Enugu state governor Peter Mbah appointed her as the state’s brand ambassador. Her father is an indigene of the southeastern Nigerian state.
READ ALSO: Chidimma Adetshina wins Miss Nigeria
“Despite numerous challenges, her journey to this remarkable achievement is a testament to the grit and perseverance that we, as Ndi Enugu, are known for,” Mbah said in a statement posted to his X account. “Chidimma’s story will serve as a beacon of hope to our young people, particularly young women.”
The appointment is one of the many experiences that have made her stay the longest yet in Nigeria “amazing”. Her Instagram account now bears telltale signs of her ‘Nigeriannness’—from her posting pictures of her dressed in the colours of the country’s flag to using the songs of the inimitable Fela Kuti, Afrobeats legend 2Baba, and Sir Darlington Nwangwu in her videos.
“I’m going to explore more and get to know more of Nigeria as well, she said. “I’m really looking forward to that journey.”
“My culture is my foundation, and I will always STAND PROUD OF WHO I AM,” she wrote in an Instagram post on November 7.
Overcoming emotional turmoil
The xenophobic backlash she faced in South Africa not only forced her out of a competition she held dear but also compelled her to confront the harsh realities of anti-foreigner sentiments. The experience was emotionally taxing.
“It has been a hectic one. I think I’ve been avoiding talking about it because it is emotional for me,” she admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability. “It’s just not a nice feeling at all… It’s affecting me.”
When asked how she was coping, she confessed, “I think I’ve been avoiding it a lot. And only now it’s starting to cloud me and it’s affecting me. So it’s something that I will work on as well and see a therapist. Because I feel like I have been suppressing my emotions and everything.”
Nevertheless, her determination remains unshaken. “I think I really give myself that title of a strong black African woman,” she affirmed.
Despite the emotional toll, Adetshina remains resolute. Her decision to accept the invitation to compete in Nigeria proved her determination not to let adversity define her. Her resilience is an inspiration to many who face similar challenges.
“Don’t give up on your dreams,” she told BBC last month. “Set those goals for yourself. It might seem too scary, but set them,” she encouraged. “Always do anything in your power to make sure you achieve them.”
The Road to Miss Universe
As Adetshina prepares to represent Nigeria on the global stage in Mexico, some South Africans are petitioning the organisers of the pageant to disqualify her from the competition with bogus claims.
Her social media activity shows signs of a queen zeroing in on an important mission—to be the Miss Universe. If that comes true, she will be the second Nigerian to win a global beauty crown after Agbani Darego, who was crowned Miss World in 2001.
Her story resonates deeply at a time when the world grapples with discrimination and anti-foreigner sentiments. By embracing her multifaceted identity, Adetshina embodies the possibility of a more unified Africa.
“I feel like we need these things to motivate us to get that driving force. Because I feel like most times, we get too relaxed with where we are in life. We all want better, but we’re not driving for that better,” she said, reflecting on her journey.
As the Miss Universe competition finale draws nearer, all eyes will be on her—not just to see a beauty queen grace the stage, but to witness a young woman embody the strength and unity of a continent.
