Lindsay Dentlinger6 August 2024 | 5:56

McKenzie says he'll apologise if Miss SA finalist Adetshina has legitimate citizenship

A furore has erupted over Chidimma Adetshina’s participation in the pageant in light of her Nigerian heritage from her father despite claims that she was born in this country.

McKenzie says he'll apologise if Miss SA finalist Adetshina has legitimate citizenship

FILE: Patriotic Alliance leader and Sport, Arts and Culture minister, Gayton McKenzie. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/Eyewitness News

CAPE TOWN - Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said he would apologise if it’s proven Miss SA finalist, Chidimma Adetshina, has legitimate South African citizenship. 
 
A furore has erupted over Adetshina’s participation in the pageant in light of her Nigerian heritage from her father despite claims that she was born in this country. 
 
Speaking to Patriotic Alliance (PA) supporters through a Facebook live, McKenzie said he wanted to ensure that no South African was denied an opportunity at the expense of a foreign national. 
 
McKenzie had weighed in on the debate on his social media saying that on the face of it, the situation appeared dodgy. 
 
"I don’t know if she’s South African or not. But as a leader, I must investigate. We are busy investigating and the media is on top of me. So I’m saying if it’s the media’s job to bring out that she was born in South Africa, show us the paperwork that she’s a South African."
 
McKenzie said that his biggest fear was if Adetshina were to advance to international pageants and then proven not to be South African.
 
"It's going to be embarrassing for the country, and if she’s South African we must apologise - we the people, I’m one of them - if she thinks that we cast aspersions by asking, I will apologise. But I’m not going to be intimidated and say nothing because I’m a minister now."