Main content

How the search for Miss South Africa turned ugly

One contestant in this year's beauty pageant has faced backlash over her heritage.

Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student, has been facing online abuse since becoming a finalist in Miss South Africa 2024. Chidimma is South African and grew up in Cape Town to a Nigerian father and South African mother with Mozambican roots. Some people think she shouldn鈥檛 compete because of this - even though she is eligible.

成人快手 Africa journalist Danai Nesta Kupemba talks us through the details, and what this says about xenophobia and 鈥榓frophobia鈥 more generally in South Africa.

This isn鈥檛 the first time there have been issues over the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. Melissa Nayimuli - whose father is Ugandan - competed last year and also faced online abuse. She joins us to share her experience.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Mora Morrison and Emily Horler
Editor: Verity Wilde

This podcast was recorded on Wednesday lunchtime in the UK. On Wednesday evening, the South African government released a statement saying there was an ongoing investigation into fraud and identify theft involving Chidimma Adetshina鈥檚 mother, in order to become a South African citizen. On Thursday, Ms Adetshina announced she was withdrawing from the contest 鈥渇or the safety and well-being鈥 of herself and her family. She did not refer to the investigation.

Available now

12 minutes

Last on

Thu 8 Aug 2024 02:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Wed 7 Aug 2024 17:50GMT
  • Thu 8 Aug 2024 02:50GMT

Podcast