By D. W .G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
Unveiling Deep Rooted Xenophobia
Chidimma Adetshina, a 23 year old law student, recently secured a coveted spot as a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant, but her achievement has been met with a surge of xenophobic backlash. Adetshina's Nigerian father and South African mother, with roots in Mozambique, have made her a target for online harassment. Critics, emphasizing her Nigerian heritage, have demanded her disqualification, questioning her right to represent South Africa despite her birthplace in Soweto and upbringing in Cape Town.
Social media erupted with negative comments, and a petition to remove her from the competition garnered over 14,000 signatures before being taken down. Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie of the Patriotic Alliance party further fueled the controversy by expressing his disapproval of her participation. Adetshina has voiced her dismay at the lack of support from her fellow South Africans, describing the backlash as "black on black hate" and highlighting a specific form of xenophobia in South Africa known as "afrophobia," which targets other Africans.
Historical and Sociological Perspectives
This incident is not an isolated case. Melissa Nayimuli, a Miss South Africa contestant from the previous year, experienced similar hostility due to her Ugandan father. Nayimuli, who constantly had to prove her South African identity by speaking Xhosa, shared her painful experiences of discrimination and the internal conflict it caused her. Her father's arrest, seemingly because of his foreign appearance, exemplified the deep seated prejudice that persists in the country.
Dr. Nombulelo Shange, a sociologist at the University of the Free State, attributes this xenophobia to South Africa's apartheid history, which ingrained a hierarchy privileging white people and perpetuated self hate among black South Africans. Post apartheid, the influx of African migrants and asylum seekers was initially welcomed, but economic struggles have led to growing resentment toward foreigners, who are often blamed for taking jobs and resources. Michael Morris of the South African Institute of Race Relations explains that the success of African immigrants can trigger resentment and even violence, as seen in the 2008 attacks that left over 60 people dead.
Despite the xenophobic sentiments, there are voices calling for unity. Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, defended Adetshina, emphasizing her South African birth and right to participate in the pageant. Last year, Nayimuli used her platform in the Miss South Africa competition to advocate for African unity, but the recent backlash against Adetshina indicates that the message has yet to fully resonate. As Adetshina prepares to take the stage, the broader issue of xenophobia in South Africa remains a significant challenge.
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