Miss SA 2024 resident judge Lerato Kganyago and Somizi Mhlongo have defended Miss SA finalist, Chidimma Adetshina.
The two media personalities got on an Instagram live where they defended Adetshina after the online backlash she faced in the past few weeks.
Adetshina finds herself in the centre of a fierce storm with South Africans questioning her citizenship. The 23-year-old mother of one was born in Soweto to a Nigerian dad and a South African woman with Mozambican roots.
The Miss SA organisers have confirmed she meets all criteria for the beauty pageant.
Said Somizi: “For me the energy is misdirected. I understand that people are frustrated. I am also frustrated about the illegal immigrants coming into our country.
“I am frustrated but I have my senses at the right place, my emotions at the right place to know not to use my energy and my anger towards this young lady. There’s home affairs that can deal with that right now.
“There’s over a million immigrants in this country and whether this girl is Miss SA or not, it’s not going to change that,” said Mhlongo.
Kganyago said South Africans have found it easier to attack black women because they are seen as weaker. But also people that contribute is black women themselves.
“Number one, I spoke about the fact that I wouldn't be a part of an organisation that is dishonest. There was proper vetting that was done. Proper research was done. Proper documentation were received.
“She is South African. I understand where people's frustrations come from but my opinion is based on facts,” said Kganyago.
“It's so sad how people every week come up with something. From her mom is not this and that. And people are running with it.”
“That shows you that South Africans don't have the time or the resources or the capacity or the effort to do research.
“I promise you 90% of the people that are saying all these things are picking it from other people and not on facts. Miss SA released a statement that all the necessary requirements were met,” Kganyago said.
She further stated that everything that people have been saying on social media about Adetshina was just based on assumptions and gossip.
She added that Sports, Art and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie’s comment on Adetshina were irresponsible as a minister.
Watch video of the Instagram live below:
South Africans remained divided on the issue, with some calling for Adetshina’s removal from the show, while others have backed her.
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