A petition calling for the removal of Miss South Africa judge Lerato Kganyago has received just more than 2,000 votes four days after its launch. The call came after her defence of contestant Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina, who has been subjected to scrutiny on social media for not being “South African enough”.

Despite being born in South Africa, many have criticised Adetshina’s suitability to represent the culture of South Africa, arguing she embraces her father’s Nigerian culture more. Her mother is Mozambican.

Others have came out to support Adetshina, including radio and TV personality Lerato, who said proper research was done by the organisation to determine her eligibility to compete.

“South Africans have found it easy to attack black women because we are seen as weaker. I spoke about how I refuse to be in an organisation that is not honest. Proper research was done, and documentation was completed. Do you understand? My opinion is based on facts. A factual investigation has been conducted. It’s so sad that every week people are coming up with something that her mother isn’t from here,” Lerato said.

Her remarks led to the establishment of a petition to remove her from the Miss SA judging panel. The petition, however, has not gained many votes. It argues that Kganyago’s remarks compromise the fairness and integrity of the competition. By Tuesday morning it had 2,399 signatures.

“Competitions like Miss SA play a crucial role in celebrating the diversity and talent of our young women. Therefore, maintaining their integrity is of supreme importance.

“The goal of this petition is to advocate for Lerato Kganyago’s disqualification as a judge. In doing so, we aim to uphold the cornerstone values of any competition: fairness and impartiality. We call on the management of the Miss SA contest to review the situation and ensure the contest is free from any form of bias. Each signature on this petition is a stand for fairness and equality,” the petition reads.

The official crowning of Miss SA will take place on August 10.

Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina, who found herself at the centre of a nationality row, withdrew from the pageant on Thursday, saying she took the decision for her and her family’s safety and well-being.

The news quickly made worldwide headlines with the BBC reporting on the drama as well as The Guardian.

Adetshina’s announcement on Instagram came a day after a preliminary investigation by Home Affairs found that her mother may have committed “fraud” and “identity theft” to become a South African national.

CENTRE OF A SOCIAL MEDIA STORM
Adetshina – a 23-year-old law student – said she was born in Soweto and grew up in Cape Town.

In recent interviews she claimed that her father was Nigerian and her mother was a South African of Mozambican descent.For weeks her roots have been at the centre of a social media storm, with several South Africans questioning whether she was indeed South African.

As the row escalated, the organisers of the Miss South Africa pageant asked the Home Affairs department to conduct an investigation ahead of the event on Saturday, 10 August at the SunBet Arena at Times Square in Pretoria.

HOME AFFAIRS CONDUCTING FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS
In a statement on Wednesday, the department said it had so far found that the identity of an “innocent” South African mother “may have been stolen” by Adetshina’s mother.

However, Adetshina “could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother as she was an infant at the time”, the department said.

It added that it was conducting further investigations with the aim of pressing criminal charges, while also obtaining legal advice “on the implications of the alleged fraudulent activity on Adetshina’s citizenship status”.

In an Instagram post, Adetshina did not respond to the findings, but said she had taken the “difficult decision” to withdraw from the competition.

She said she was grateful “for all the love and support” she had received, and wished the remaining eight contestants the best.

The Miss South African organisation has broke their silence on the controversy surrounding former finalist Chidimma Adetshina’s ethnicity via a statement on Thursday 8 August.

MISS SA BREAKS SILENCE ON CHIDIMMA ADETSHINA’S ETHNICITY
After Chidimma Adetshina was placed as a Miss SA finalist, there were questions surrounding her ethnicity. The model previously said that her father is Nigerian, and her mother is South African with Mozambican roots.

However, a bombshell statement by the South African Department of Home Affairs alleged that Chidimma’s mother may have committed fraud and identity theft when registering her birth. Chidimma shortly dropped out of the pageant. The Miss SA Organisation has now broke their silence on the matter.

In a statement, the organisation stated that they wish Chidimma the best and success.

“In light of recent events, 2024 Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Miss South Africa competition. We wish Chidimma all of the very best and success in all her endeavours,” read the statement, shared with The South African.

“The Miss South Africa Organisation would like to thank our sponsors, partners, fans and all stakeholders for their continued support and wish the 2024 Miss South Africa finalists, all of the best,” read the statement.

MISS SA ORGANSIATION: ‘WE UPHOLD THE SPIRIT OF UBUNTU-BOTHO’
The Miss SA Organisation went on to say that they uphold the spirit of Ubuntu-Botho and are committed to contributing to self-belief, confidence and more.

“Miss South Africa celebrates South Africa’s rich and inclusive culture and diversity. We uphold the spirit of Ubuntu-Botho and are committed to contributing to the self-belief, self-confidence, and fulfilment of the aspirations of all girls and women in Africa and worldwide,” read the statement.

Chidimma expressed that she dropped out of the pageant for the safety of herself and her family, in a statement, shared on Instagram on Thursday 8 August. She turned off the comments on the post of the statement.

“I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I. With the support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience,” she wrote.

In the public eye, people feel obligated to learn about your personal or private life. It’s important to consider things like your family members, what you do, and how you present yourself outside of the job. Our curiosity is piqued by the fact that we don’t know what they look like in real life.

The personal lives of politicians and other public personalities can be used to undermine their public image, especially if they work in or have influence over the legal system.

The downside of revealing details of your personal life to others is that they may use it against you. According to multiple stories, criminals kidnapped or threatened the families of police officers and asked that they do something in exchange for their release.

Not long ago, kidnappers kidnapped the children of one of the country’s most well-known businessmen, demanding money in exchange for their release. Many public figures prefer to keep their personal life private for this very reason.

Bheki Cele, the minister of police, is the subject of today’s story. When it comes to his private life, Bheki Cele is one of the most reclusive actors around. Because of how strict he comes across to the general public, many have inquired as to his marital status. However, it would appear that he is far too preoccupied with his work to have the time to start a family.

Bheki Cele is married to Thembeka Ngcob, a beau’s girl who rose to fame quickly after it was revealed that she was married to Bheki Cele. Below, you can see a selection of their images.

As South Africa marks National Women’s Day, it honours the legacy of South African women past and present.

This moment also recognises their significant contributions across various spheres.

THE STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN
Television, a vital part of South African culture, provides a powerful platform for these narratives.

Women look to their TV screens for inspiration, finding both empowerment and understanding through stories that reflect their own lives or educate others about their struggles.

Here, we spotlight three actresses—Zandile Cele, Hlengiwe Lushaba-Madlala, and Kamvelihle “Kay” Bikitsha—whose on-screen roles illuminate the experiences of everyday South African women.

SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN: ZANDILE CELE
Zandile Cele, a rising star from KwaZulu-Natal, is known for her role in Short & Sweet.

In her late 20s, Cele’s character as a sangoma brings a unique perspective to the show, according to TV Mzansi

Having faced bullying growing up, Cele’s real-life strength mirrors her on-screen persona.

“I am carefree and love singing at church and events. An exceptional singer, and that’s why people are so fond of me. I am a people’s person, she says”

INSPIRING SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN WITH UNIQUE CALLINGS
Cele hopes her portrayal inspires short women and those with unique callings to embrace their worth.

“You need to believe in yourself no matter what people think about you,” she adds.

SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN: HLENGIWE LUSHABA-MADLALA
Hlengiwe Lushaba-Madlala, a seasoned actress on Mzansi Magic’s My Brother’s Keeper, brings to life MaMchunu Shabalala, a resilient matriarch navigating complex family dynamics.

Describing MaMchunu as a loyal, God-fearing woman, Lushaba-Madlala highlights her character’s internal conflict between loyalty to her husband and her own happiness, according to Youth Village.

“MaMchunu is a pillar of strength, but she faces significant challenges as she questions her husband’s choices while keeping her family together,” Lushaba-Madlala explains.

SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN IN DECISION-MAKING ROLES
She reflects on the broader industry issues and notes, “Although strides have been made, the industry remains male-dominated.”

We need more well-rounded stories and women in decision-making roles.”

KAMVELIHLE “KAY” BIKITSHA
Kamvelihle “Kay” Bikitsha portrays Nozuko Mxenge in Gqeberha: The Empire.

Her character embodies the struggles of a young mother dealing with financial strain and emotional turmoil, according to Briefly.

Bikitsha describes Nozuko as “a wounded woman who navigates life on her own after abandonment.”

Now, she battles between the life she desires and her current reality.”

APPRECIATING PEOPLE
Nozuko’s challenges, including managing life as a single mother while her fiancé remains imprisoned, resonate with many South African women.

Bikitsha shares, “A lesson I’ve learned from playing Nozuko is independence and appreciating the people around me more because we often underestimate their love.”

DIVERSE EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN IN SOUTH AFRICA
These narratives, portrayed by Cele, Lushaba-Madlala, and Bikitsha, reflect the diverse experiences of South African women.

Their stories not only entertain but also empower viewers, highlighting the strength and resilience inherent in women’s lives.

CELEBRATING NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
As we celebrate National Women’s Day, let us remember and appreciate the profound impact of storytelling.