Burna Boy Mocks South Africa for Choosing a White Miss South Africa 2024, Following Controversy Over Chidimma Adetshina
Nigerian music star Burna Boy has stirred up social media with a controversial tweet mocking South Africa’s choice of Miss South Africa 2024. The tweet, which featured a photo of the newly crowned Miss South Africa, Mia Le Roux, accompanied by the caption “😂😂So After ALL that.. ……. 😂😂😂,” was widely interpreted as a dig at the uproar that followed Chidimma Adetshina’s participation in the pageant.
Burna Boy’s tweet comes in the wake of intense debate and controversy that engulfed the Miss South Africa pageant, particularly surrounding Chidimma Adetshina, a finalist who eventually withdrew from the competition. Chidimma, born in South Africa to a Nigerian father of Igbo descent and a Mozambican mother, faced backlash over her Nigerian heritage, which became the center of a national discussion on identity, citizenship, and inclusion.
Chidimma Adetshina’s Withdrawal from Miss South Africa
Chidimma’s journey in the Miss South Africa pageant was marked by both support and criticism. Allegations arose that her mother had committed identity theft in acquiring South African citizenship, leading to public outcry and a government investigation. The scrutiny and pressure ultimately led Chidimma to withdraw from the competition on August 8th, citing concerns for her family’s safety.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Chidimma expressed her gratitude for the opportunity but emphasized the importance of her family’s well-being:
“Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey; however, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and me. With the support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience.”
Miss Universe Nigeria Extends an Invitation to Chidimma
In response to the situation, the Miss Universe Nigeria organization reached out to Chidimma with a formal invitation to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 competition. The organization acknowledged the challenges she faced in South Africa and offered her the chance to represent her Nigerian heritage on an international stage.
The invitation read:
“Dear Miss Adetshina,
We at Miss Universe Nigeria have been closely following the developments regarding your decision to bow out of the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. We acknowledge the circumstances surrounding your withdrawal and understand the challenges you may be facing.
In light of these events, we want to extend our support and encouragement. We believe that your journey in the world of pageantry is far from over and that there are still numerous opportunities for you to showcase your talent, grace, and beauty.
As a Nigerian by heritage, we would like to formally invite you to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant. This is an opportunity to represent your father’s native land on an international stage, and we believe you would be an outstanding contender. We encourage you to consider this opportunity and take part in a competition that celebrates the strength, intelligence, and diversity of Nigerian women.
Should you wish to participate, all you need to do is respond to this invitation, and we will be delighted to guide you through the next steps. We look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you continue your journey in pageantry with the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.”
The Reaction to Burna Boy’s Tweet
Burna Boy’s tweet has sparked a flurry of reactions online, with some agreeing with his implied criticism of South Africa’s choice and others condemning what they saw as an unnecessary and divisive comment. The tweet has further fueled the ongoing discussion about race, identity, and representation in beauty pageants, particularly in a diverse country like South Africa.
While the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant has concluded with Mia Le Roux as the winner, the conversations it has ignited are far from over. Chidimma Adetshina’s story, in particular, has highlighted the challenges of navigating multiple identities in a globalized world, and her potential participation in Miss Universe Nigeria offers her a new platform to celebrate her heritage and continue her journey in the world of pageantry.
