Why Chidimma stepping down was the right move

We’ve seen a lot of controversies surrounding Miss SA and its contestants over the years, from bullying to racism to financial disputes and yes, even favoritism. This time around, the spotlight has been thrust on Chidimma Adetshina, a former finalist born to a Nigerian father and an alleged Mozambican mom.

The 23-year-old has pulled out of the competition, no doubt due to overwhelming pressure and fear of the actions of strangers on the internet.

Here are five reasons why it was probably the best move she could make for herself.

#1 MENTAL HEALTH AND CYBERBULLYING

Mental health probably sounds like a cliche these days, but that’s probably because more people are stepping into an enlightenment of their holistic health.

In last week’s episode of Crown Chasers, a tearful Chidimma revealed how she had suffered from depression, anxiety, and even failed suicide attempts. She even had the scars on her wrists to prove it.

Chidimma also hinted how being shunned on social media brought her to an all-time low, something she previously had to fight to get out of.

Last year, former Miss SA Lalela Mswane also shared how cyber trolls had pushed her to the brink of suicide.

Speaking to Anika Larsen on eTV’s My Guest Tonight, she said: “At a point, I actually wanted to die by suicide because I absolutely got to a point where I couldn’t handle it.

“There are so many people that have died by suicide when people actually know what they put them through. So I don’t think they [critcis] even care.

“And a part of me was like, I will jump and die, fall to my death. All because of people that don’t know me”.

#2 CHIDIMMA COULD BE A VICTIM IN ALL OF THIS

According to Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber, Chidimma Adetshina’s mother is alleged to have committed fraud and identity theft when registering her birth in 2001.

The minister stated that Chidimma herself could not be held accountable for this, as she was just an infant.

The young woman also consented to the verification. Why would she do this if she had something to hide?

And why would a woman – with a Nigerian name and fully aware of xenophobes and Afrophobes in the country she WAS born in – knowingly put herself in the firing line?

#3 XENO ATTACKS AND X (NOW TWITTER)

Xenophobic attacks in our country – particularly against Nigerians – is a chapter many, including myself, would like to forget, if not erase. It goes against the very ethos of being a South African.

X (formerly Twitter) is undoubtedly the breeding ground for such-minded people.

Anonymous trolls like Chris Excel and Norma Kay get a kick out of riling the masses up, using phrases like “patriotism” and “nationalist” to instill hatred against others.

#4 IT’S OK TO LET GO

Not everyone is meant to win titles and crowns, such as Miss SA.

Conceding doesn’t mean accepting defeat or giving up. There’s something admirable about walking away, gracefully, with your head held high.

While the public may not have all the facts yet pending an investigation by Home Affairs, I’m hoping this notion applies to Chidimma.

#5 HOPEFULLY, CHIDIMMA  WILL USE HER ‘FAME’ FOR CHANGE

With the spotlight firmly on her, I’m also giving Chidimma the benefit of the doubt that she will continue her mission statement she promised to fulfill when she entered Miss SA.

This includes focusing on advocating against gender-based violence, empowering women, and possibly even promoting African unity and not division.

Last year, finalist Levern José also withdrew from the competition after being accused of being a high school bully. After acknowledging the pain she had caused, she promised to hold herself accountable and do better.

The Johannesburg real estate agent recently reflected on how her experience shaped her into who she is now.

She shared in an Instagram post: “Smiling through the challenges, wrestling with my flesh, and redefining trust. Drawing strength from my roots, healing for myself, and setting firm boundaries. 

“It’s been a year of hard work and resilience. Despite it all, I am grateful for the evidence, Yahweh. As one chapter closes, another begins”.

Let’s hope, like Levern, Chidimma uses her experience to author her next chapter, and achieve her wildest dreams.