Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina, a Miss South Africa Top 11 contestant, has recently been at the receiving end of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks on social media.
The controversy arose following a viral video showing Adetshina celebrating with her Nigerian family. In response, several notable figures, including members of parliament, have stepped forward to defend her. This post covers the critical developments in this issue.
Naledi Chirwa, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament and delegate to the South African National Council of Provinces, publicly defended Adetshina on social media.
Chirwa broke her silence on the matter by addressing it on platform X, criticizing Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, for his derogatory comments about Adetshina’s participation in the pageant.
McKenzie’s statement suggested that having Nigerians compete in Miss South Africa was inappropriate, saying it gave off ‘funny vibes.’
Chirwa vehemently rebuked McKenzie’s remarks, stating, “You are not ‘patriotic’ at all. You don’t know the South African constitution. You don’t respect South African governance office at executive level. You don’t know South African history. You don’t know South African statistics on anything, not even your favourite subject.”
She pointed out the irony in McKenzie’s surname being of Scottish origin, emphasizing how colonial conquests have always influenced identities, yet he targeted a black woman for being similar to him.
Chirwa highlighted what she saw as a pattern of bigotry and disrespect for South African laws on McKenzie’s part. She further elaborated on how black women, in particular, are often the targets of such attacks.
“It’s always black women that you target and bully on this scale. Everybody else gets a pass. White men get a pass. White women get a pass. Black men get a pass… You hate black women. Black women’s history matters. Our lineage matters. The children we birth, are ours too!”
You don’t respect SAn laws… and this isn’t historic. Even today. You don’t stand with SA when we stand with Palestine. Just bigotry. You’ve got all the time to take on a Black SAn woman but hid behind ass when questioned about the white Minister of Home Affairs. Hate weak men.
— Fighter 🇵🇸 (@NalediChirwa) July 30, 2024
