Relebogile Mabotja recently found herself at the centre of a social media hurricane. Why? All because she showed support for Miss South Africa 2024 finalist, Chidinma Adetshina.
Hayi shame, Chidinma has been causing havoc—her picture is everywhere on Facebook, media across Africa can’t seem to get enough of her, and she’s constantly trending on X (formerly Twitter).
But not everyone is thrilled about Chidinma’s success. A petition calling for her removal from the pageant due to her nationality garnered 7600 signatures before it was taken down. Born in Soweto, the 23-year-old law student has made it to the top 14 stage of the competition, but public outcry over her eligibility has been growing louder.
Chidinma’s surname has stirred up xenophobic remarks, leading her to question if representing a country that seemingly doesn’t support her is even worth it.
Enter Relebogile, who weighed in on the Chidinma matter and quickly found herself under fire. When a social media user claimed that the public didn’t want Vanessa Adetshina (yes, they got her name wrong) to represent South Africa, Relebogile retorted, “I’m by no means a mathematician but 7600 out of a population of 60 million plus people doesn’t seem very big.”
This, of course, sparked a heated exchange, with Relebogile giving as good as she got. From being told she wasn’t smart to being likened to a “dildo in the wind,” Relebogile’s received punches side by side.
She clapped back, saying, “The only people who matter in whether I am smart or not are those who pay me to do what I do. Can’t say the same for you. But good luck with that.” And just like that, the internet had something new to buzz about.
I’m by no means a mathematician but 7600 out of a population of 60 million plus people doesn’t seem very big. https://t.co/9tbFHQGuqk
— Relebogile Mabotja (@RelebogileM) July 27, 2024
Let me simplify this in to an equation that may be easier for you to work out as it does not even require a calculation.
Is 7500 out of 4 million X users big?
it’s a yes no answer.
There are no bonus marks for swearing at me…
Neither do we assume x users represent the public. https://t.co/ieUrVoXbrw— Relebogile Mabotja (@RelebogileM) July 28, 2024
Oh darling, you care. That’s why you came for me and my observations. Had you not you would have just scrolled passed. You are just hurt that I don’t care about your views on me. But I am sure someone else does and hope you find them.
Best Regards,
NotSmart https://t.co/xzv1Qpr9Ew— Relebogile Mabotja (@RelebogileM) July 28, 2024
I’m not coming for you. Your observations were skewed. They didn’t make any sense and so I took the liberty to tell you that no ma’am. I’m not hurt. You stand for absolutely nothing Gile, what could possibly hurt me about you? You’re like a dildo in the wind ❤️
— Nokulunga Zulu (@NokulungaZulu2) July 28, 2024
In the end, the social media drama only underscores the volatile nature of public opinion and the complicated dynamics of national representation. Whether Chidinma will go on to win Miss South Africa remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—this story isn’t over yet.
