The Newly crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Vannesa Adetshina, has revealed that she faced rejection from the Miss South Africa pageant due to her name.
Recall that Adetshina withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant following controversy surrounding her nationality and allegations of identity theft leveled against her mum by the South Africa Home Affairs.
Adetshina while speaking in an interview, stated that she was rejected by South Africans because of her name.
She said, “South Africans felt like I was not South African enough because of my name and it was really hard to see.
“It was a very horrible experience, and I would not wish it on anybody because I have lived there for 23 years.
“ It is heartbreaking to see that I was not welcomed and accepted”, she said.
When asked about the allegations of identity theft levelled against her mum, the beauty queen declined to comment on the issue.
“There were some statements that came out from Home Affairs with regard to my mom’s ID as well, and that is still a legal matter so I won’t comment on it.
“What I do know is that I was born in South Africa, and I am still South African, and I am still proudly Nigerian”, she added.
Also, Adetshina, when hosted by Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission in Lagos, on Tuesday, pledged to make Nigeria proud in the course of her reign.
She said, “I want to say thank you for the beautiful reception. Am so honoured to be sitting in front of you.
“I wear this crown with so much pride and I would make Nigeria proud as well,” she said.
NAN
