South Africans have reacted to Chidimma Adetshina's finish as the first runner-up at the 73rd Miss Universe competition held in Mexico City, Mexico on Saturday.
The 23-year-old was at the centre of a controversy around her citizenship during her stint as one of the contestants in the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant.
The beauty queen was born and raised in South Africa, but her mother is a Mozambican national and her father is Nigerian.
She was eventually forced to withdraw from the Miss South Africa pageant in August after the South Africa Home Affairs alleged that her parents had committed identity fraud to make her a South African citizen around the time of her birth.
South African organisations, including Progressive Forces for South Africa, had petitioned the Miss Universe organisation for her to be excluded from the competition while SA Home Affairs announced that it had begun the process to revoke her SA identity and travel documents.
As congratulatory messages continue to pour in from Nigerians as well as Africans, mixed reactions have trailed her win among South Africans.
While some ascribed her success to her education in their country, others described her as a ‘first loser’, expressing their delight that she didn't win the coveted title.
Meanwhile, some of Chidimma's biggest South African supporters, including Thuso Van Zyl described her success as a triumph of good over evil.
South Africans: "Nobody remembers the second place." 😒 😑
— JAE (@JaeKingsR) November 17, 2024
Me: You will forever remember this particular second place 🤣🤣🤣#MissUniverse2024 pic.twitter.com/lDO8taDyRG
This is the only Miss universe South Africans know pic.twitter.com/JjbNosv6gs
— Ziyanda (@ZiyaMadlakes) November 17, 2024
As Africans we are so capable, Zozibini Tunzi shined a light that continues to open doors for more African women.
— Miss Universe South Africa (@missuniverseza) November 17, 2024
Let us never forget to “Tale up space and cement our selves”#MissUniverse2024 #MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/NFSLTq9Wtn
The only miss universe we recognize as South Africans pic.twitter.com/ieFZUSth60
— Anele_ace (@Anele5151) November 17, 2024
Dear Denmark, South Africans will never forget what you have done for them today, thank you 😭❤️ https://t.co/a7mCrspoBg
— MrRedFlag 🚩 (@Thwema1) November 17, 2024
