By: Natasha Archary
Miss South Africa 2024 finalist, Chidimma Adetshina is trending again after videos of her traditional wedding to Nigerian, King Sefo were shared on social media.
The videos of Chidimma and her now ex-husband caused more public backlash, with several South Africans expressing their strong opinions about her eligibility to partake in the Miss SA pageant.
Although she was born in South Africa, Chidimma’s father is Nigerian and her mother is of Mozambican descent.
The 23-year-old law student was born in Soweto, at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, and her divorce from King Sefo was finalized in February 2024.
Chidimma has a 1-year-old son from the marriage and shared that her son was conceived out of wedlock.
In an interview with Sowetan SMag, Chidimma said she divorced King Sefo because they were incompatible.
“He had this ideology of what an African married woman is. I didn’t want to be in a position where I couldn’t go out but had to clean and cook.
That was just not for me because as a society we are way past that phase.
My parents have been very supportive and although my marriage robbed me of enjoying the beauty of my pregnancy and being a wife, overall it brings me joy that I get to take new steps with my son.
I didn’t think I’d be a mom at my age as he was conceived out of wedlock but I’m glad to have him. At the beginning of the year, I was so depressed and worried about how life was going to turn out for me but getting this far in the competition made me believe there was more in store for me.”
One of the videos of Chidimma and King Sefo’s wedding day shows the couple dancing while guests throw money at the couple, a tradition that dates back many years in Nigeria.
“Making it rain” with money is seen as a way for Nigerians of all tribes to show their affection and support for the couple.
As the tension around Chidimma’s eligibility to partake in the Miss SA contest grows, Sonke Gender Justice has condemned the utterance made by Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture, Gayton Mckenzie her nationality.
The non-profit organisation says Gayton’s remarks regarding Chidimma’s nationality were irresponsible as a Minister and fall within Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).
Responding to a social media user’s question regarding his thoughts about Chidimma’s father being Nigerian, Gayton made his stance against foreigners being allowed to enter the pageant known.
The newly appointed Minister said, “We truly cannot have Nigerians compete in our Miss SA competition.”
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