Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina has been facing xenophobic backlash since she was announced as one of the top 16 in this year’s competition.
Regardless of the fact that the 23-year-old from Soweto is South African born and raised, she continues to be harassed on social media since people found out that her father is Nigerian.
Adetshina, who is a model, a netball player and a Bachelor of Law student at Varsity College took to X yesterday to say:
“The hate on Nigerians is so pathetic and uncalled for...The insults I receive on this app is just too much....African's should live in peace and unity!!!” after days of receiving hate on the social media platform.
The hate on Nigerians🇳![CDATA[]]>🇬 is so pathetic and uncalled for...The insults I receive on this app is just too much....African's should live in peace and unity!!!
She has received mixed responses to her statement.
@MakuniGanya wrote: “Dear @OnweVanessa , I am sorry that you are being abused this way. Those insulting you are just jealous of your beauty and intelligence. Ignore the fools & focus on what you are doing. We love you! Africa Love you too. Remember, there's no bad publicity. Stay strong &All the best!”
“Don’t mind them. We are solidly behind you. Those insulting you are just jealous and wished they were in your position,” said @Obidiencentric
On the other hand, @sabelostorm responded: “We love you as a person we just don’t want you to be in Miss SA cause you’re not South African.”
Earlier in the day Adetshina tweeted: “You hating.. am winning. Proudly SOUTH AFRICAN”. However, she has since deleted that tweet after getting heat for it.
Of course this did not stop people from responding.
One of her haters, @Mlu__N7, screengrabbed the tweet and wrote: “Our hate is a long-term investment. We will be there no matter what!!! This one will never be Miss SA.”
In her latest tweet, she wrote: “Bullies!!!!Deactiving my account.”
Her account however remains active.
Adetshina is passionate about sports and advocating for change in violence against women and children and gender-based violence.
She describes herself as ambitious, confident and optimistic. Her motto is “dreams are valid when actions are taken.”
IOL Lifestyle