Today we delve into the controversy surrounding the recent Miss South Africa pageant. The details of the event have highlighted tensions between xenophobia and Pan-Africanism in South Africa. Chidimma Adetshina, a law student born in South Africa to Nigerian and Mozambican parents, was compelled to withdraw from the competition due to xenophobic backlash and dubious claims about her citizenship. This incident underlines the deep-rooted issues of xenophobia particularly aimed at other African nationals.
We will explore the broader context of xenophobia in South Africa, where Nigerian nationals and others are often scapegoated by local politicians to deflect from governance failures. These xenophobic attitudes have fueled violence leading to significant displacement and deaths since 1994. Conversely, Mia le Roux, crowned Miss South Africa 2024, represents a different facet of the nation’s complex identity matrix. Although, her specific ethnic background is not explicitly stated, her name rooted in a French Huguenot ancestry typical of the Afrikaner community where she was born. The discussion also touches on how minority parties like the Patriotic Alliance and ActionSA exploit anti-immigration sentiments for electoral gains, further polarizing the society.
This conversation aims to shed light on the urgent need for South Africa to confront its xenophobic tendencies and recommit to a Pan-African ethos that could redefine its future on the global stage. Stay tuned as @AuthenticAfrican CEO @JoeHotagua, @AfricanStream Journalist, Inem Richardson, with special guest Lunga Xolisa Mantashe from the Pan-African Congress of Azania @panafricanistcongressofaza8516 discuss this in more detail.