Nigeria’s Chidinma Adetshina Bags 1st Runner-Up at Miss Universe Amid SA Drama and Nigeria's Rivalry!
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Chidinma Adetshina is officially a star! The Nigerian beauty queen snagged the 1st runner-up spot at the global Miss Universe competition held on Sunday the 17th 2024, and fans couldn’t be prouder.
Her journey wasn’t without its fair share of drama, most notably, South Africa’s rep pulling out of the competition last minute, leaving Nigeria and Zimbabwe as the last African countries standing.
This twist added even more fuel to the already spicy rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa, with Chidinma emerging as the face of African pride on the world stage.
The South African Backlash.
Let’s rewind, Earlier this year, Chidinma tried to represent South Africa at their Miss Universe pageant, but her Nigerian heritage caused a stir.
Social media erupted with harsh comments questioning her right to compete.
Things got so messy that Chidinma had no choice but to withdraw, making her way back to Nigeria. It wasn’t just a personal loss it highlighted the long-standing tension between Nigeria and South Africa.
Nigeria’s Warm Welcome.
After leaving South Africa, Chidinma was embraced by Nigeria’s pageant community, who saw her potential and crowned her Miss Universe Nigeria.
This moment wasn’t just about a title; it was about reclaiming her narrative and showing that Nigerians support their own.
By the time South Africa’s rep bowed out of the global competition citing "health reasons," Nigeria and Zimbabwe were left to carry the African flag, talk about poetic justice!.
Pop Culture Clashes: Nigeria vs. South Africa.
This rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa has a long history, and not just in pageantry.
From the CAF competition to BurnaBoy and the late AKA’s infamous feud during South Africa’s xenophobic attacks, the two countries have clashed repeatedly.
AKA’s comment, which many Nigerians took as a slight, sparked a fiery response from BurnaBoy, marking a pivotal moment in their strained relationship.
Then there’s the “Bolt-for-Bolt” fiasco: South Africans started prank-cancelling rides in Nigeria from across borders, leaving drivers stranded..
Nigerians retaliated in full force, not only cancelling rides but also ordering home appliances, food, and other items en masse—because, well, Nigeria’s population is nothing to joke about.
Even in music, South African artist Tyla has been sweeping Afrobeats awards, igniting debates about cultural appropriation and ownership.
Whether in sports, entertainment, or tech, Nigeria and South Africa always seem to find themselves in a showdown.
To get a deeper perspective, I had a chat with Joy, one of our writers at The Pop Radar.
Q: Is the tension between Nigeria and South Africa just rivalry, or does it stem from deeper cultural and historical roots?”
Joy: Well, I won't say it's rivalry because Nigerians are actually not in competition with anyone, lol. We have a lot on our plates. Everyone is fighting to succeed for their own selves and their families. I would like to think that the chasm between the two countries has its root in cultural differences, culture in the sense of behavior and personality. I feel like South Africans hate the guts of Nigerians. They don't understand how a country as corrupt as Nigeria and a country with a bad economy can have citizens who are loud, happy, and ambitious. Citizens who don't cower.
South Africans have always seen themselves as the 'USA' of Africa, the coolest kid on the block. Nigerians going 'toe-to-toe' with them and even going ahead to do better than them in their own country has not been good for their ego, hence their pain.
On the other hand, Nigerians don't like South Africans only because they have shown us that they don't like us. So the whole thing is just crazy. 😂”
Social Media’s Role in the Drama.
The internet had plenty to say about Chidinma’s journey, with Nigerians flooding timelines with memes and cheers for her resilience. Social media can amplify both support and toxicity, and Chidinma’s story was no exception.
When I asked Joy about the role of bullying on social media, her response was scathing but honest:
A lot of people don't have happy lives, and you can see how true it is on social media. And I also feel like some people's ideology, or should I say orientation of what social media is, is built on controversy, hate, and whatnot. They think social media is just about having trending topics to argue about, a platform to hurl abusive words at each other because, I mean, it's a free world and you can say what you like.
Many users of social media don't even use social media etiquette. And because you can be in the corner of your room and say what you want, people with no lives and absolutely no joy resort to bullying. It's very appalling. They critique every single thing, even things they themselves cannot do as good as the subject of their criticism. I really wish there was a way different social media platforms could implement an algorithm to fish out accounts that engage in bullying and just block them all.”
A Win for Chidinma and African Pride.
In conclusion, Chidinma's remarkable journey to becoming the 1st runner-up at Miss Universe symbolizes triumph over adversity and a source of immense pride for Nigeria and Africa. Her inspiring story serves as a beacon of hope for all those who have persevered in the face of doubt, showcasing the power of resilience and determination in achieving one's dreams.
Stay tuned for the next article.
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