Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie has been accused of causing faux outrage after he seemingly referred to Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina’s nationality and called her a “Nigerian”.
The outspoken Patriotic Alliance leader – known for his tag phrase “Abahambe,” referring to foreign nationals – even claimed the young woman’s case gave him “funny vibes.”
Gayton’s comments come shortly after Julius Malema hailed Chimma as a “South African.”
Both the pageant organisers and the 23-year-old model have stood by their claims that she is eligible to participate in the competition.
GAYTON MCKENZIE CRITICISED OVER CHIDIMMA COMMENTS
Since revealing that her father is Nigerian and her mother is a South African with Mozambican roots, Chidimma Adetshina has become the victim of xenophobic comments from angry pageant fans who believe she should not win or represent Miss SA.
On his official X account, Gayton McKenzie responded to “troll” Chris Excel, who asked him for his opinion on the pageant finalist.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture – who returned home from the Paris Olympics—tweeted: “We truly cannot have Nigerians compete in our Miss SA competition. I want to get all the facts before I comment, but it”.already gives funny vibes
While some agreed with the minister, others accused him of being irresponsible and promoting xenophobia.
@VimleshRajbansi: “Gayton, you need a spokesperson because you are a Minister and can’t blurt out xenophobic statements like this.
@Inqama97: “She’s legally South African, and any intervention you make will be a violation of her human rights and will be in contravention of the constitution. As a cabinet Minister and member of Parliament, you have a duty to protect her rights not violate them. Delete this tweet.
@TrueNorth_Hlubi: “You shouldn’t involve yourself over petty gossip and bullying. It’s not appropriate since you’re a Minister and a diplomat. You should rather condemn the unprovoked bullying of Chidinma, Miss SA.”
@IrisNzolantima: “I didn’t know you were xenophobic to that level.”HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER CALLED IN TO INVESTIGATE
Meanwhile, another tweep has called on Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber to investigate Chidimma Adteshina’s nationality.
@isphera tweeted: “Please investigate the claimed citizenship of the Nigerian father and Mozambican mother of Chidimma Adetshina.
“Investigate how documents were acquired & on which date they were acquired. This is a matter of national importance & must be treated with urgency”