The finalist of Miss South Africa became a beauty queen in another country after a scandal over nationality. Photo.

A former Miss South Africa contestant who was persecuted because of her ethnicity was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria on September 1, ending a difficult period in her life. Chidima Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student born in South Africa to Nigerian parents, withdrew from the previous competition "for the safety and well-being of my family." This happened after users harassed her for her nationality.

"I'm very proud of myself and very grateful for the love and support," Adetshina told AFP in an interview a few minutes after she was crowned in Lagos, "This is what I've always wanted and I'm very happy that I have a second chance to achieve it. The Guardian reports.

The beauty's Nigerian heritage has been the subject of violent xenophobic attacks and sparked controversy when she was announced as a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant in July. Despite the fact that Chidima had not been in the country for 20 years, the organizers of the Nigerian pageant invited her to participate in the final, saying that it was a chance for her to "represent her father's homeland on the international stage."

"We all need to end xenophobia... tribalism," said Paula Ezendu, who won first place at Miss South Africa. "We are all one family. We are all human beings." Adetshina insists she loves South Africa despite the controversy and is grateful for the country's support. The beauty will represent Nigeria at the international Miss Universe pageant in November. "I know we will win," she told reporters.

Adetshina said she was born in Soweto, a South African town near Johannesburg, and grew up in Cape Town. The controversy over her nationality led to an investigation, and the organizers of Miss South Africa asked the country's Ministry of Home Affairs to verify her eligibility to participate in the pageant.

After an initial review, the department announced that Chidima's mother may have stolen another person's identity to obtain South African citizenship. However, the statement added that Adetshina "could not have been involved in her mother's alleged illegal actions as she was an infant at the time." A day after the announcement, the beauty refused to participate in the contest. 

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