South Africans have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to express their dissatisfaction with the director of Puebla International Festival, Ikenna Okeh.
This uproar ensued after the announcement that the Republic of South Africa would no longer be the featured country at the festival. Held in Mexico, the festival is renowned for its dynamic cultural offerings, spanning dance, theatre, music, film, and literature.
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We regret to announce the revocation of South Africa’s designation as the Country-in-Focus for this year’s festival, and the withdrawal of the invitation of our South African guests following the victimization of Chidimma Adetshina, her family, & members of immigrant communities. pic.twitter.com/JbX8VpZ24E
— Puebla Int’l Literature Festival (@PueblaLitFest) August 8, 2024
The decision to withdraw South Africa’s participation followed the alleged victimisation of Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina, a former Miss South Africa contender. Consequently, festival invitations to South African panellists and guests were retracted.
In a statement, the organisers conveyed their sorrow and highlighted the troubling incidents in South Africa, where the state’s inaction has fostered a climate of mob rule, impacting Chidimma, her family, and immigrant communities.
Chidimma’s involvement in the controversy, further intensified by identity fraud accusations against her mother, has stirred significant unrest.
The South African Human Rights Commission recently issued warnings about xenophobic attacks and cyberbullying directed towards Chidimma. Consequently, she withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant, just two days before the finale.
South Africans did not hold back in their reactions on social media. Here are some responses:
@atswanagoddess: “The statement was signed by Ikenna Okeh? Lmao, oga is angry that…”
The heated reactions underscore the deep emotions and differing viewpoints surrounding this complex situation. As the Puebla International Festival moves forward, it aims to stand as a beacon for the celebration of diverse voices, cultures, and perspectives.
Ikenna Okeh must also do us another favor and cancel himself from SA.
— 🔰Aut’esharp 🇿🇦 (@mvuzo_k) August 9, 2024
The statement was signed by Ikenna Okeh? Lmao, Oga is angry that #ChidimmaAdetshina’s mom is being investigated for fraud. Go fly a kite!😂😂 https://t.co/wPGwNQLRMe pic.twitter.com/83TGN5i0au
— Kgosigadi (@ATswanaGoddess) August 8, 2024
Signed by Ikenna Okeh 😂
A Mexican Nigerian pic.twitter.com/g4KodzaLHj— PovertyKiller_Official (@PovertykillerB) August 8, 2024
A festival director Ikenna Okeh is no different 👇 pic.twitter.com/jJk5JBA5zK
— Johannes 🇿🇦 (@johannesmafolo) August 9, 2024
Ikenna okeh? From mexico? When will nigerians stop impersonating 💀😹😹😂😂 pic.twitter.com/rWaSkBLQ7f
— SENYO (@ItsTheD0n) August 8, 2024
Ikenna Okeh can keep the festival hey. To be honest, harm done to who? @PueblaLitFest , a festival established in 2024? Make it make sense how relevant this is? 😂 Chidinmmae Miss SA MissSouthAfrica Xenophobia Afrophobia pic.twitter.com/OSmWO2qGGQ
— Temaswati ● 🇿🇦 PS (@joy_ripper) August 9, 2024
“Ikenna Okeh” is also a Nigerian though, he is not a representative of African community. South Africans don’t hate anyone, we just don’t condone Nigerians. We are the kindest and I am sure you will know that after traveling to other African countries.
— Joy Lethabo (@JoyLethabo8) August 9, 2024
Here’s Ikenna Okeh, the guy behind this bogus Puebla Int’l Literature Festival which he opened recently: pic.twitter.com/yYfo7S0Zr5
— Urban Seeker ™ (@ClownSeekers) August 9, 2024
So because we have pushed for investigations around Chidima’s nationality, now her fellow brother Ikenna Okeh strikes by withdrawing SA from a literature festival. Does this mean it’s war now? Nigerian man with a digital platform in SA virtually strikes🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/Z0DrgdoPeF pic.twitter.com/2G9NaSTvON
— KoMeNoToRiE (@komenotorie) August 8, 2024
“Ikenna Okeh” Now South Africans will have more reason to hate us. https://t.co/tVwuBfQkuN
— Oladayo (@oladayofash) August 9, 2024
A Nigerian, Ikenna Okeh signed this, so it doesn’t make sense. The letter decision is biased and sentimental because the victim in question is “Nigerian”.
He is an idiot. https://t.co/qc0ECsW8P9— TheeQ (@teegulf) August 9, 2024
Signed by Ikenna okeh https://t.co/uKm9tnbR5p pic.twitter.com/jI53wW8IL1
— uncle kenny 🍋 (@YourVillageBoy) August 8, 2024
 following the decision to withdraw South Africa as the featured country at the Puebla International Festival.){kind=link}