Cape Town’s Chidinma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina is one of the top 13 beauty contestants who remain in the running for the Miss SA 2024 crown.
However, netizens are calling for her to be removed from the pageant after she disclosed that her father was Nigerian and her mother South African with roots in Mozambique.
The pageant organisers and the 23-year-old model insist she remains eligible to take party in the competition.
Some pageant fans have appealed to Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie to have Adetshina eliminated from the pageant.
Earlier this week, McKenzie said on X that he had just returned to South Africa from Paris where he had attending the 2024 Olympics and would “get all the facts before commenting”.
McKenzie added: “We truly cannot have Nigerians compete in our Miss SA competition … it gives funny vibes already”.
I just returned from Paris and will definitely get more information tomorrow, we truly cannot have Nigerians compete in our Miss SA competition. I wanna get all facts before I comment but it gives funny vibes already. https://t.co/KQ6K0MT6aG
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 29, 2024
He was later called out for his post by a netizen who said he should not involve himself or the government in “petty gossip and bullying” but instead, should “condemn the unprovoked bullying of Adetshina”.
@TrueNorth_HlubiGayton wrote: “Gayton, you shouldn't involve yourself & your gvt over petty gossip and bullying being promoted by psychotic people, and then play to the gallery. It's not appropriate since you're a Minister and a diplomat.
“You should rather condemn the unprovoked bullying of Chidinma, Miss SA.”
Gayton, you shouldn't involve yourself & your gvt over petty gossip and bullying being promoted by psychotic people, and then play to the gallery. It's not appropriate since you're a Minister and a diplomat. You should rather condemn the unprovoked bullying of Chidinma, Miss SA. https://t.co/gugHwOcVGE
McKenzie hit back at @TrueNorth_HlubiGayton: “You want me to ignore people that voted for me? You want me to ignore a legitimate question? I will get the facts and return with an answer, this is not gossip, that video raises legitimate suspicion.”
You want me to ignore people that voted for me ? You want me to ignore a legitimate question ? I will get the facts and return with an answer, this is not gossip, that video raises legitimate suspicion. https://t.co/LEE1LwGB3Y
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 29, 2024
Some social media users supported McKenzie while others said he was part of the bullying.
Adetshina has been garnering support of her own.
She took to her Instagram Stories to post a few encouraging messages that her fans have sent her.
One read: “When I tell you I am standing 10 toes down supporting you... Sending you love and light.”
