Chidimma Adetshina matter has no bearing on SA's diplomatic relations with Nigeria - Lamola

CAPE TOWN - International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said that a citizenship debacle involving a Miss South Africa contestant with Nigerian heritage had no bearing on the country’s diplomatic relations with Nigeria. 

He said that South Africa’s ties with the West African nation were strong and continued to deepen.

Last week, Chidimma Adetshina, born in South Africa to a Nigerian father, withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant after a home affairs investigation revealed her Mozambican mother may have fraudulently obtained residency status in South Africa. 

Minister Ronald Lamola said that among South Africa’s most recent bilateral agreements signed with Nigeria related to sport, arts and culture. 

He said that the storm around the nationality of 23-year-old Chidimma Adetshina related purely to eligibility and the Miss South Africa pageant rules. 

"Those are things related to that process and should not be interpreted to mean that it’s outside or it’s a reflection on South Africa’s foreign diplomatic relations with Nigeria." 

While Lamola’s spokesperson, Crispin Phiri, described South Africa’s relations with Nigeria as cordial, Lamola said cultural ties in particular were very strong. 

"Obviously, from time to time there will be challenges, and such challenges will be addressed on their merits and demerits as and when they arise." 

The Home Affairs Department is now investigating the circumstances surrounding Adetshina’s registration as a South African citizen.