Welcome to yet another episode of South Africans being Xenophobic. Surprise surprise. This time, the spotlight is on Chidimma Adetshina, a withdrawn finalist for Miss South Africa 2024, who became the target of xenophobic attacks due to her Nigerian heritage.

Oh, South Africans, what will I do with you?

Xenophobia, defined as the “dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries,” has once again reared its ugly head. Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old from Pimville, Soweto, has been harshly criticised on social media regarding her eligibility to represent South Africa. Despite being born and raised in South Africa, her Nigerian father has led many to question her suitability for the competition.

The vitriol directed at Adetshina on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) has been intense:

– “She must simply go back home to Nigeria. We don’t recognise her as South African.”
– “We won’t stop; just go back home. You are not loved here, and you will never be loved! Go participate in Miss Nigeria.”
– “We don’t have a Chidimma in South Africa. She should go and enter Miss Nigeria. It’s called Miss South Africa for a reason. Not Miss Africa.”
– “Everyone supporting this Nigerian lady supports Nigerians that sell drugs in South Africa. I for sure know she’s related to one of them.”

Seriously? The Miss SA organisation clearly states, “The applicant must be a South African citizen and possess a valid South African ID document or passport” What’s the problem?

I’ve got it! It’s black-on-black hatred and racism, better known as Afrophobia—a special kind of xenophobia in South Africa typically reserved for the dehumanisation and hatred of African immigrants from other African countries. The problem here is the inclusion of her Nigerian heritage with her South African heritage. Let’s be honest: we’ve never had an issue or questioned Trevor Noah’s nationality as a representative of South Africa, and he has a Swiss-German father. So why should we question hers? Would it have been better if her father was a white man from Italy?

The backlash escalated to the point that a petition demanding her withdrawal from the competition circulated. It became so intense that she withdrew days before the finale, which took place this weekend at the Sunbet Arena.

As we all know, Xenophobia in South Africa is not a new phenomenon. Since the mid-1990s, there has been a pervasive climate of hostility towards migrants from other African nations. This sentiment has a violent history, with organisations like Witwatersrand University’s Xenowatch reporting severe impacts: 127,572 displacements, 5,310 plundered shops, and 669 fatalities from 1994 to March 2024.

I remember one of my friends telling me that she was unable to attend primary school during a specific period of Xenophobic attacks because her dark skin made her a target. During that time, xenophobes were attacking everyone who didn’t look South African at the slightest bit, and I find that incredibly disturbing.

Anti-immigrant movements such as Operation Dudula and Put South Africa First have gained traction, fueled by the belief that immigrants infringe upon South Africa’s resources. These movements demand large-scale deportations to reclaim employment, housing, healthcare, and education for South Africans.

Social media platforms, notably X (Twitter), play a significant role in amplifying xenophobic views. They provide a stage for individuals to express and disseminate anti-foreigner sentiments, reflecting broader societal attitudes and shaping public opinion on such issues.

Addressing the deep-rooted issue of xenophobia in South Africa is complex and requires more than just surface-level solutions. Effective policies and coordinated, multifaceted initiatives are essential for meaningful change.

I said what I said.

What do you think of the backlash against Chidimma Adetshina contesting for the Miss SA title? How can we better support individuals facing xenophobia in our communities?

Disclaimer: We do not tolerate or approve of any xenophobic comments, hate speech, or discriminatory language. Such comments will be removed immediately. We encourage respectful and thoughtful discussion that contributes positively to the conversation.