WATCH | ‘It gives funny vibes’ – Gayton McKenzie on Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina

SA Rugby

Cape Town — Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has said that he will address the issue surrounding current Miss SA finalist, Chidimma Adetshina.

Chidimma was criticised by social media naysayers after she made the finals of the Miss SA pageant. Many felt she was ineligible to compete due to her background. She was born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother, with Mozambican roots, which many felt should disqualify her from competing.

A video of Chidimma celebrating with her Nigerian family also surfaced on social media on Monday, causing more controversy.

The video shows her wearing her contestant sash while being celebrated at what appears to be a church.

Despite the criticism from many South Africans, the Miss SA website confirmed that all Miss SA entrants must be South African citizens and must provide a valid South African ID. Dual citizens are welcome to enter, as long as they provide both forms of identification.

“Miss South Africa entrants must be South African citizens and in possession of a valid South African ID document or passport. If an applicant holds dual citizenship, they must provide details of both on the entry form,” it said.

Social media users have since approached McKenzie on X to get his view. The minister, who was in Paris for the first few days of the Olympics, said he would get more information, but added that he got “funny vibes”.

“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,” he said.

McKenzie’s response received equal support and criticism, and many didn’t take his “funny vibes” comment lightly. When one user said McKenzie should not involve himself in gossip and bullying, he replied that he could not ignore the question and vowed to get the right information.

“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.”

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema recently defended Chidimma from the criticism and said her entry into the competition was valid as she was born in South Africa.

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

“We cannot punish people based on where their parents come from. I’ve not followed the debate closely, but I would assume Miss SA has done the necessary due diligence and determined that she is a suitable candidate. These are issues stirred up by those who spread hate among Africans. Such people should not be supported,” he added.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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