OPINION: Tatjana’s dad is also a foreigner, so why ‘hate’ Chidimma?

Many South Africans need to face the fact that they’re not only xenophobic but Afrophobic too. And the incessant cyberbulling around Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina, in stark contrast to the praise of SA’s “golden girl” Tatjana Smith, is proof of it.

So, what does the gold medallist have to do with it?

Both women are not only South African citizens, but they also have a parent who was born abroad.

However, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has lauded one has is “the greatest Olympian this country ever had”, the other, he’s referred to as giving him “funny vibes”.

THE PA, AND MANY SOUTH AFRICANS, ARE GUILTY OF XENOPHOBIA, AFROPHOBIA

As their name suggests, the Patriotic Alliance is a party all about putting South Africans first, and rightly so.

While their spirit of nationalism and dedication to rebuilding the country is commendable, their influence to incite hatred and fuel ignorance among their countrymen is deplorable.

Chidimma Adetshina has publicly disclosed that her father is Nigerian and her mother is South African. Miss SA has thoroughly vetted her documents and confirmed that she is eligible to participate in the pageant.

But because half of her ancestry hails from Nigeria and so does her name, South Africans have rejected her, ridiculed her and told her to “go home”.

If that wasn’t bad enough, PA president Gayton McKenzie’s decision to entertain sexist, racist, homophobic, and xenophobic X troll Chris Excel, for mere popularity points, has added fuel to the raging fire on social media.

Then there is PA Deputy-President Kenny Kunene, whose ignorant views have made us question how he is fit to be in parliament or speak publicly, for that matter.

Speaking to Clement Manyathela on SABC, the former “Sushi King”’ revealed that the PA would be interdicting Chidimma from participating in the Miss SA pageant because she is “not South African enough”. 

He also found fault with a clip of her being embraced by foreign nationals – whom he claims she has an “allegiance to”  – and even mentioned a video, now dispelled as “fake news”, of a Nigerian man falsely credited as being Chidimma’s father.

Kunene also hinted that Chidimma’s identity documents could have been fraudulently acquired.

“Her full name is Nigerian….It’s a problem”, he brazenly said.

Manyathela then attempted to reason with Kunene by saying: “You are taking stuff on social media and treating it as fact. Instead of as a responsible party writing to the Home Affairs department [to express your concern]. You haven’t verified anything…that’s irresponsible”.

Kunene clapped back: “This girl is a Nigerian. There is nothing that gives us confidence that she is a South African. We want South African surnames there. We want Jacqui Mofokeng and Basetsana Kumalo, not what what”.

EVEN HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER IS NOT IMMUNE TO IT

Chidimma Adetshina is proof that South Africans are not just xenophobic, but Afrophobic too.

Last month, new Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber became the victim of cyber trolls who called for his dismissal based on unfounded rumours that he was born in Zimbabwe.

On the X platform, various social media users and a few news sites shared screenshots of a Wikipedia citation that Schreiber was born in Zimbabwe.

However, eNCA reporter Pule Letshwiti-Jones reminded the public that anyone can edit the online encyclopedia. This was an affirmation that not everything you see on social media, is the truth.

He tweeted: “Newly appointed Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber is not from Zimbabwe. Schreiber was born in the Northern Cape. Verifying information won’t hurt anyone”.

Schreiber confirmed that he was, in fact, born and raised in South Africa.

He tweeted: “Drew my first breath at Radie Kotze clinic in Piketberg [Western Cape]. Grew up in Kleinzee in Namaqualand [Northern Cape], followed by studies in Stellenbosch, Berlin and Princeton”.

He added: “And until my last breath, I will fight for the country I love against liars and looters.”

LOVE FOR TATJANA, HATE FOR CHIDIMMA

So why do Gayton, Kenny, and many South Africans love Tatjana Smith – whose father was born in the Netherlands – and reject Chidimma Adetshina, whose dad is a Nigerian?

Based on SA’s undeniable hatred for their fellow Africans, the answer is self-explanatory. 

Like Tatjana, Chidimma wants a chance to represent South Africa and show the world that she, too, can become a “golden girl.”

Sadly, if South Africans don’t drastically change the way they treat fellow Africans, her dream and others like her will never become a reality. But more concerningly is the sad truth that Africans will never peacefully coexist together.