SEE | ‘This girl has to suffer because she is black, and she’s female’ – Pearl Thusi on Chidimma saga

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Cape Town — Among the South African celebrities rallying in support of Miss SA 2024 finalist Chidimma Adetshina, who has faced xenophobic attacks over her mixed heritage, media personality Pearl Thusi has now stepped into the fray.

Chidimma, a 23-year-old with a Nigerian father and a South African mother with Mozambican roots, has come under fire from some pageant fans who argue that her diverse background disqualifies her from participating or winning the Miss SA 2024 competition.

On Tuesday, Pearl Thusi took to X with a series of videos addressing the controversy and defending Chidimma. Thusi criticised the xenophobic backlash saying: “I think it is really problematic. As soon as she was born in South Africa, she was South African, effective immediately. It is what it is.”

She continued: “She is born in South Africa, raised in South Africa; therefore, she is South African. She can’t call Nigeria home. That is beside the point.”

The actress further condemned the double standards, asserting that the situation would be handled differently if Chidimma were white.

“If she was a white girl and her parents were French, you would have never noticed. But because her name is what it is, now it’s a big deal. This girl has to suffer because she is black, and she’s female, and it’s a pageant.”

Not many seemed to agree with Thusi’s viewpoint, however, as the majority of Mzansi took issue with her “connections” to Nigeria.

Critics also took personal jabs at her career span, suggesting that she is past her prime in the media industry and that her opinions no longer hold significant weight.

Here’s a glimpse of some of the responses:


Meanwhile, in response to the backlash against Chidimma, EFF leader Julius Malema has also voiced strong support, echoing sentiments similar to those of Thusi.

During the latest episode of the EFF Podcast, Malema asserted that citizenship is determined by the place of birth, and thus the Miss SA finalist is undeniably South African.

“Your citizenship is determined by where you were born. So, if she was born here, she is South African. It doesn’t matter. She is not her parents; she is herself. So why do you say she’s from Nigeria or she’s from Mozambique? She was born here.” he shared.

He further criticised the xenophobic attacks describing them as being  “engineered by those who are spreading hatred among African people”.

Mzansi remains steadfast in its position however, with many quickly taking to the comments to voice their opinions on why Chidimma should not be a contestant in the competition.

Here’s what was said: 

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Compiled by Lauren Petersen

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