It seems drama isn’t just confined to reality TV – welcome to the Miss South Africa competition, where a petition calling for the removal of judge Lerato Kganyago has recently stirred the pot. With just over 2,000 signatures in four days, this petition is certainly causing a buzz, albeit a modest one.
The center of this storm isn’t a hurricane or a cyclone, but contestant Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina. Vanessa, born in South Africa, has been scrutinized on social media for allegedly being “not South African enough.”
Critics argue her stronger affinity toward her father’s Nigerian culture, combined with her Mozambican maternal heritage, doesn’t qualify her to represent South Africa’s diverse culture.
Enter Lerato Kganyago, radio and TV star, who defended Adetshina, asserting that the organization thoroughly researched and validated her eligibility. “South Africans have found it easy to attack black women because we are seen as weaker,” Lerato said, showing no signs of mincing words.
Her remarks, however, have not endeared her to everyone, prompting a petition for her disqualification from the judging panel. The creators of the petition argue that Kganyago’s comments compromise the fairness and integrity of the competition.
Despite the controversy, the petition has amassed only 2,399 votes by Tuesday morning, not exactly a tidal wave of support. The petition states, “Competitions like Miss SA play a crucial role in celebrating the diversity and talent of our young women.
Therefore, maintaining their integrity is of supreme importance.” It calls for Kganyago’s removal to “ensure the contest is free from any form of bias.” Amid this hullabaloo, the official crowning of Miss SA on August 10 promises to be an event worth marking on the calendar.
Stay tuned, as we keep an eye on this cultural cage fight. Will the petition gain more traction? Or will Lerato Kganyago continue to sip her tea, unfazed? Only time will tell.
