For years, Black Africans with European or American connections have decried the discrimination they face solely because of their skin color. The story of Chidimma Adetshina, a South African-born Nigerian model, reveals a troubling reality: racism’s ugly presence isn’t confined to the West. If such incidents occur within Africa itself, it prompts a deeper question—is racism truly just about skin color?
It all started when Chidimman became a strong contender for Miss South Africa, contending for the crown to represent the country in the Miss Universe in Mexico. A statement from South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs claimed that preliminary evidence suggested Chidimma’s mother committed identity fraud. Following this revelation, the department traced Chidimma’s roots to Nigeria and Mozambique, thrusting her into the center of South Africa’s ongoing xenophobic debates. The controversy intensified as some South Africans called for her disqualification from the Miss South Africa pageant.
In August, the 23-year-old model made the difficult decision to withdraw from the competition, raising questions about the timing and motivations behind the investigations into her identity. Why did it take her rising prominence on such a platform for these claims to surface? This scenario points to a deeper issue: racism is not confined to any particular race or ethnic group. Instead, it is a pervasive human failing—a disease that transcends borders.
Many Africans perceive racism primarily as a conflict between Black and White, rooted in skin color. However, Chidimma’s case reveals a bitter truth. Racism is often about power and control—one group asserting its perceived superiority over another to maintain privilege, whether for economic or political gain. Skin color may be the most visible marker, but it is merely the tool, not the essence, of racism.
The fear and discontent surrounding the possibility of a Nigerian-born woman winning the Miss South Africa title unmask the discriminatory attitudes lurking beneath the surface. Despite being naturalised as a South African, Chidimma’s legitimacy as “one of their own” was vehemently questioned. This rejection of her identity reveals a troubling reality: racism, in this instance, was wielded not by outsiders but by South Africans themselves. In their inability to embrace Chidimma, they displayed the very prejudice they often decry.
The Second Chance
Chidimma later accepted an invitation to compete in Nigeria’s Miss Universe pageant, where she triumphed, earning the chance to represent Nigeria on the global stage at the 2024 Miss Universe competition. Subsequently in November, she made history as the first Nigerian to finish as the 1st runner-up, right behind Denmark’s Victoria Theilvig, who claimed the crown. Her achievement also secured her the title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, marking a groundbreaking moment for Nigeria and the continent.
In a recent interview with Business Insider, Chidimma reflected on the struggles she faced leading up to this milestone. She shared how some South Africans believed she wasn’t “South African enough” because of her name “Chidimma”—a distinctly Nigerian one. For her, this was where racism in her story took root.
Though Chidimma’s racism journey has pushed her to her heights, her story is a powerful reminder that racism isn’t always as overt as systemic discrimination or blatant xenophobia. Sometimes, it is subtle and cloaked in cultural exclusion, challenging individuals like Chidimma to defend their place in spaces they rightfully belong to.
Racism, as Chidimma’s journey reveals, transcends the simplistic narrative of black versus white. Her story shines a spotlight on an often overlooked reality—that racism is not inherently tied to skin color but rooted in humanity’s darker impulses. It encompasses the need to dominate, exclude, and control.
The aphorism, “the rejected stone became the chief cornerstone,” encapsulates Ms Adetshina’s journey. Once vilified and pushed to the sidelines, she now stands as a symbol of triumph and resilience. Ironically, even South Africans, who once sought her disqualification from Miss Universe, joined in celebrating her success, as the world glorified her name. This duality reflects how quickly public opinion can shift when success becomes undeniable.
According to Daniel Abusuamepeh, a race and social problems researcher, tribalism operates as a form of racism within African societies, often mirroring the systemic discrimination seen globally. It underscores a painful truth: racism adapts to its environment. In Africa, he noted, it morphs into tribalism; in Europe and America, it often aligns with systemic racial structures. But the intent remains the same—division and control under the guise of difference.
The transformational story of Chidimma, from a rejected beauty in South Africa to becoming the Queen of Africa and Oceania, teaches lessons of tolerance and the ability to push beyond limits. It challenges Africans to look inward and address the prejudices of racism and tribalism that hinder unity.
Chidimma’s journey from rejection to global recognition serves as a reminder to African children—and indeed to the world—that racism isn’t about color. It’s about a group’s obsession to dominate and control those it sees as outsiders, eventually hurting itself.
Esther Kalu is a Journalism for Liberty Fellow, freelance journalist and screenwriter, who is passionate about art and culture, lifestyle and politics. Her works have appeared in reputable and emerging platforms like Premium Times and The Radar. She finds passion in using her writing as a tool to address topical issues in Nigeria.
