A 23-year-old law student from South Africa named Vanessa Chidimma Onwe has come under fire for her nationality after placing in the top 13 in the current Miss South Africa (Miss SA) competition.

Born in Soweto to a South African mother and a Nigerian father, Chidimma has faced a torrent of abuse from some South Africans who think she shouldn't be allowed to compete in the pageant.

Her Nigerian ancestry has been cited by numerous social media users as evidence that she is not a South African and shouldn't be competing in the pageant.

Some have questioned why she was permitted to compete by the Miss South Africa organization.

In the meantime, the Miss South Africa organization has responded to racist remarks posted on social media regarding Chidimma.

In a statement to the media, the organization stated that Chidimma satisfied all requirements to participate in the contest.

The statement reads: “Chidimma is a South African citizen and has met all the requirements to be a part of the Miss South Africa competition. Her mother is South African (Zulu), and her father is Nigerian.

"According to Miss SA eligibility, contestants must be South African citizens with a valid ID or passport. If the contestant has dual citizenship, documents for both must be made available.

"Citizenship in South Africa can be obtained through birth, descent, or citizenship, according to a recent change to the Citizenship Act.

"By birth, we mean any individual born in the country whose parents are permanent residents."

See some social media reactions here

Adasu_d_gr8: "She is a Nigerian"

Opsylo_jay: "With the way she’s speaking English without switching or mixing with kvarastkeliha watshe sweyhi wena. You’ll know she’s a Nigerian"

FRANK_KING_98: "Please call her Nigerian and not South African please"

mufudzi_: "Why is hard for an average South African to understand a child with Nigerian Fathrr and South African mother born in SA is a South African and they are lot of these joling daughters in SA. “Don’t noise us”"

iThando: "Yall celebrate Trevor Noah in America, but can't accept a different nationality in SA.."

VideosVuvu: "There is no South African with that name"

Sphe____: "Call me a hater but she ain’t SOUTH AFRICAN."

cfcOptaseun: "Nah why she no win, Why Adeshina go turn Adetshina and you wan win."

Loadedbrodah: "What type of name is that? Just say African model at this point"

South African Model, Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina's entry video for Miss South Africa 2024.

She made it to the Top 14. pic.twitter.com/sV4qF4wOeq

— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) July 16, 2024