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Wednesday 11th of December 2024

Nairobi, Kenya

Miss SA Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina Citizenship Saga: Home Affairs Weighs In

Posted On : August 2, 2024

Oscar Alochi

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The Miss South Africa pageant has been thrust into a national debate over citizenship and identity, sparked by allegations surrounding contestant Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina’s nationality. With claims of Nigerian parentage and questions about her eligibility to represent South Africa, the controversy has ignited a firestorm of public opinion and political involvement.

At the heart of the matter is Adetshina’s citizenship status. While the Miss South Africa organization maintains that she meets all the necessary requirements, the Department of Home Affairs has offered a complex clarification of South African citizenship laws.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Njabulo Nzuza, emphasized that citizenship can be acquired either by birth (soil) or through parentage (blood). Unlike countries like the United States, where birthright citizenship is granted, South Africa primarily follows the principle of citizenship by descent from a South African parent.

However, the law also provides provisions for individuals born in South Africa to foreign parents to acquire citizenship under certain conditions, such as if their parents held permanent residence permits. This particular point has become a focal point of scrutiny in Adetshina’s case.

Investigations conducted by The Star revealed potential discrepancies between Adetshina’s stated age and the timeline provided by her alleged father, Ben Dlamini. Dlamini, in an interview, claimed to have arrived in South Africa in 2010 on a visitor’s visa and married Adetshina’s mother in 2013. These claims, if accurate, raise questions about the circumstances surrounding Adetshina’s birth and subsequent citizenship acquisition.

The controversy has divided the nation, with political parties taking opposing stances. The EFF has expressed solidarity with Adetshina, condemning xenophobic attacks and defending her right to participate. On the other hand, the Patriotic Alliance has threatened legal action, questioning Adetshina’s eligibility and calling for her disqualification.

As the debate intensifies, the Miss South Africa organization faces increasing pressure to provide concrete evidence supporting Adetshina’s citizenship. The Department of Home Affairs’ clarification has shed light on the complexities of South African citizenship law but has also raised more questions than answers regarding Adetshina’s specific case.

Ultimately, this controversy serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by individuals with mixed heritage and the need for clear and accessible citizenship guidelines. It has also highlighted the deep-seated divisions within South African society on issues of identity, belonging, and representation.

Content courtesy of  NFH Digital Team

Oscar Alochi

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