The row over Adesina's identity has highlighted long-standing tensions between South Africa and Nigeria.
Speaking to the media ahead of this weekend's Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, former Miss South Africa, Chidimma Adesina, spoke about the stress she experienced due to the debate over her South African identity.
“It's been a long journey for me. It's been really hard, I won't lie. There were times when I cried myself to sleep and thought, 'Why me? I just want it to be over,'” Adesina told Nigerian radio station Cool FM.
Adesina arrived in the West African country on an invitation to take part in this weekend's Miss Universe Nigeria pageant. The invitation from pageant organisers Silverbird Group came after the 22-year-old Adesina's South African nationality was called into question.
She was the victim of online abuse from people who believed she was unworthy of competing in the Miss South Africa pageant.
“I think sometimes when hard times like this happen, you have to look at the positive side and shift your mindset to think that maybe more great things like this could happen,” she said in a radio interview.
Miss Universe Nigeria invited Adesina following her decision to withdraw from the South African competition.
“It's a bit amusing that Nigeria seems to be trying to score diplomatic points following this incident,” said Aisha Kajee of the African-Asian Dialogue (AFRASID). The Citizen.
“But at the same time, South Africa has been criticized as being discriminatory and xenophobic because of the way some government officials have handled the issue.”
Earlier this month, the Home Office revealed allegations of fraud and identity theft involving her mother.
ALSO READ: Chidimma Adesina: Ministry of Interior identifies victims of identity theft, two officials under investigation
Tensions rise
Nigeria invited Adesina because her father is Nigerian, and there has long been tension between Nigeria and Mzansi, and the Nigerians appear to be trying to protect her from the barrage of attacks aimed at her.
Recent footage of Ms Adesina preparing with other contestants for the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant has drawn sarcastic comments from South Africans about their choice of venue.
“The venue appears to be the community hall that hosted Miss Soweto in 1990,” Bantu Dhlomo wrote on Instagram.
Miss Universe Nigeria is like a high school model show 😭 pic.twitter.com/lahcXSqkcs
— Uncle Keys (@mnm_meya) August 26, 2024
“Sarcasm on social media can not only increase tensions between the two countries but also contribute to inciting negative reactions among the people of both countries,” said Kazee, who has researched across sub-Saharan Africa and observed elections and peace processes in several countries.
Before South Africans vote to upset Chidimma and Nigerians
Now South Africans want to spite the whole Miss Universe Nigeria pageant and vote for Ms Kwara.
😭Only with Mandela was there reconciliation and forgiveness, we can't do that. We can never do that. Ajikare!
Pakama Miss Kwara 🤌🏾 pic.twitter.com/tlxbcl31L9
— 🇿🇦 iScathulo SePhara 👞 (@ISephara) August 26, 2024
Kazee said he was concerned about how far sarcasm could escalate when it takes on an overtly nationalistic or racist tone.
“Everyone should be encouraged to refrain from utterances that border on hate speech, as even the slightest provocation could lead to violence.”
Adesina will represent Taraba state in northeastern Nigeria, and the competition itself will be held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos.
Related article: “I'm excited to be in my father's country” says Chidimma Adesina as he arrives in Nigeria to compete
African Tug of War
Qazi, former director of the International Human Rights Exchange Programme at the University of the Witwatersrand, said ongoing tensions between the two countries stem from their respective positions of superiority as continental powers in the region.
“As regional hegemons in West Africa and Southern Africa respectively, the two countries are seeking to become leaders on the African continent, which has led to rivalry between the two countries.”
In 1996, the South African national football team won the Africa Cup of Nations, but there was always talk that Bafana Bafana would not have won the championship if the previous winner, Nigeria, had participated.
Nigeria withdrew from the competition at the last moment due to pressure from then dictator Sani Abacha.
After Bafana Bafana faced Nigeria in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, which the Super Eagles won, a spat between South Africans and Nigerians culminated in West Africans claiming to own the amapiano.
“Both are large economies, both geographically and demographically large countries with relatively well-educated populations,” Kazee said, comparing the two countries.
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