SAFTU: “DISGUSTING BEHAVIOR TOWARDS MISS SA”
Written by Neo Molefi on August 2, 2024
Written by: Tasha Siziba
The South African Federation of Trade Unions is appalled by the bullying towards the Miss South Africa Pageant finalist Chidimma Adetshina.
In the strongest terms, the union condemns the aspersion cast on the Citizenship of the Chidimma by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.
“Minister McKenzie’s remark that it gives “funny vibes” on his X account was irresponsible and appalling because it strengthened the bullies, instead of giving courage to the Chidimma.”
Sports Arts and Culture Minister Gayton Mckenzie has expressed the need for investigation regarding the nationality of Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina, stating, “I can’t just talk because I’m a Minister. If she’s South African, we wish her well on the world stage.”
Mckenzie further… pic.twitter.com/GnTjnBLsSD
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) July 31, 2024
SAFTU national spokesperson Trevor Shaku’s remarks came amid a heated debate over Adetshina’s participation in the Miss SA pageant.
“Minister McKenzie’s remark that it gives “funny vibes” on his X account was irresponsible and appalling because it strengthened the bullies, instead of giving courage to the Chidimma.”
The 23-year-old finalist was born in Soweto to a Mozambican mother and a Nigerian father.
Chidimma’s contestation in the Miss SA pageants is an affirmation that she is South African because a non-negotiable eligibility criterion is citizenship, said Shaku.
Shaku postulate that Adetshina meets all the eligibility requirements and that trollers questioning her citizenship, argue that she was born to Mozambican and Nigerian parents, and solely based on this parentage, her citizenship is questioned.
“Even if this claim of foreign parentage was right, unfortunately, it is a wrong premise to begin from. SA citizenship of children born to foreign parents in South Africa will be approved due to the “citizenship by birth” upon turning 18 years old.”
Adetshina, despite facing criticism, has received substantial backing from prominent public figures and celebrities, including DJ Prince Kaybee, Somizi, Ntsiki Mazwai, Relebogile Mabotja and former Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse.
As the Miss South Africa 2024 finale is nearing, Radio and TV personality Lerato Kganyago joined the debate saying she is disappointed with the Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie’s views.
“I wouldn’t be part of an organization that is dishonest. There was proper vetting that was done, proper research and proper documentation were received to proof she is South African.”
“My opinion is based on facts. I respect everyone’s frustration. It’s easier to attack a black woman. There was a Miss South Africa a while ago, one was Portuguese.”
“The only person I feel sorry for is this young lady. I hope she gets therapy. Let’s base our points on facts. Social media is so dangerous. “
“I was a bit disappointed with the minister yesterday. The last statement he said, ‘it looks dodgy’ because now we are putting the life of this young lady in danger, ” Lerato said.
Kganyago further deactivated her X formally Twitter account.
I’ve always known that Lerato Kganyago is one shitty Celebrity to have in our Country, as a judge and an influential person in our Country how do you defend such rubbish? pic.twitter.com/fXUtg3ZaGR
— Slaughter. (@BafanaSurprise) August 1, 2024
Adetshina has demonstrated resilience and determination to use her platform to educate and unite people.
Nigerian Say’s Chidimma can’t represent South Africans.
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Gogo Skhotheni | Pearl Thusi | She is South African | Lerato Kganyago | Sunnyside pic.twitter.com/bzcFz4RZhE— Mlimo_Insider (@Mlimo_Insider) August 1, 2024
So Chidimma Adetshina father had an interview. Honestly, I’m more interested in than before.
Chidimma father says he came to South Africa in 2010 on a “tourist visa” got married…. somehow, Chidimma, aka chichi, is 23 years, meaning she was born in 2001.
How is chichi 23… pic.twitter.com/jNsfsbYURF
— Kwena Molekwa (@Miz_Ruraltarain) August 1, 2024
South Africa is completely rotten. @HomeAffairsSA has long sold our country to foreigners; expecting us to roll back and believe #Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship is a unquestionable catastrophe for us. Chidima Adetshina and her parents are not naturalised citizens; how did they… pic.twitter.com/2frZOBtwIl
— Kwena Molekwa (@Miz_Ruraltarain) August 1, 2024
WHAT MAKES YOU SOUTH AFRICAN?
The main law that gives a legal framework for the attaining of citizenship is the South African Citizenship Amendment Act, and defines citizenship as follows:
- Citizenship by Birth:
– This applies to any child who was in South Africa to South African parents, or even if one parent is South African and another a foreigner.
– Children of foreign parents who were born here and have no citizenship elsewhere can apply for citizenship once they turn 18.
- Citizenship by Descent:
– If a child is born outside South Africa to South African parents, they can be registered as a South African citizen by descent.
- Citizenship by Naturalization:
– The granting of citizenship to someone who has come to South Africa from outside and stayed in this country for some time.
I love you but isn’t Miss SA all about flying the SA flag high first and foremost? Citizenship aside, there’s nothing South African about her. No SA flag on her socials, only the Nigerian & Mozambique(maternal) flags up there. They follow Nigerian culture, music etc in her house. pic.twitter.com/xid0Q1swng
— Soul of Wit 🖋 (@Soul_of_Wits) July 31, 2024
Her name is Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina Onwe, our Miss SA 2024. South Africa stands with Chidimma #Chidimma pic.twitter.com/74rr55bJEn
— Thuso van Zyl🇿🇦🇵🇸 (@Thuso1Africa) August 1, 2024
SAFTU condemns xenophobia and any form of bullying against South African citizens mistaken to be immigrants.
The federation wishes courage to Chidinma Adetshina to overcome the bullying and contest for the crown of Miss SA undeterred even after this unfortunate, unnecessary, and distasteful uproar.
