Viral sensation Skomota is making headlines after his management showed off his new Mercedes-Benz V-Class worth R1.4 million.
SKOMOTA’S MANAGEMENT SHOWS OFF HIS NEW MERCEDES-BENZ, MZANSI REACTS
MDN News first shared the video of the car on X, formerly Twitter. The blog posted, “Skomota celebrates the purchase of his new Mercedes V-Class.”
Continue reading ‘Unaware of the new car’: SA react to Skomota’s recent Mercedes purchase
From Lagos to the world, Tems has navigated fame with an unwavering commitment to authenticity.
The singer shared insights into her journey and how she maintains her true self amidst the pressures of global stardom.
Tems embraces authenticity on a global stage
TEMS EVOLUTION OF STYLE
Tems, now a global sensation, talked to Essence about how travelling and exposure to diverse cultures have influenced her style.
“I find myself more interested in trying new things,” she said. “I could see a balloon skirt and think it’s interesting. It’s all about my inner creativity wanting to burst out.”
Her evolving style, marked by experimentation, reflects her personal growth rather than the demands of fame.
TEMS ON AUTHENTICITY
Karefa-Johnson, the interviewer for Essence, probed whether Tems was ever surprised by others’ perceptions of her.
Tems, however, finds it more intriguing than surprising.
She emphasised the importance of staying true to oneself despite external expectations.
“Trying to be someone else does a disservice to yourself,” she explained.
“You should just be who you are.”
TEMS ON NAVIGATING EXPECTATIONS
The conversation took a deeper turn as Karefa-Johnson highlighted the pressure on artists to conform to certain standards.
Tems acknowledged this, stating that focusing on what people think leads to an unsustainable way of living.
“You have to think about why you’re doing what you’re doing,” she advised.
“People who are for you will love you regardless, just by you being who you are.”
REPRESENTING HER PEOPLE
Tems also addressed the challenge of representing an entire demographic, according to Bella Naija Style.
She finds it challenging to meet varied expectations from fans worldwide.
“There are so many expectations from different places,” she said. “I don’t try to know them. I am only a girl.”
EMBRACING HERITAGE
Despite global fame, Tems remains deeply connected to her Nigerian roots.
“You have to show up as who you really are,” she said.
Her Yoruba heritage influences her style, from traditional attire to modern fashion choices, according to Rap Up. Tems believes that art should reflect emotion, and her identity as a Nigerian is a significant part of that.
LOOKING AHEAD
Looking towards the future, Tems shared her ambitions. “I’m building my life for myself,” she said.
Her goals include creating wealth to support others and finding freedom in nature and music. “I want to be proud of the life I lived,” she added.
Her focus is on living authentically rather than chasing external validation. In closing, Tems reflected on the unpredictability of life. “You make plans, and God laughs,” she remarked.
FACING FAME
Her journey is a testament to embracing change and staying true to one’s vision. “Be there for yourself, always,” she advised. “Stand up for yourself and be present.”
Tems’ conversation with Karefa-Johnson highlights her commitment to authenticity in the face of fame.
Her approach to style, heritage, and personal goals reveals a powerful message: to thrive, one must remain true to oneself.
The mother of controversial former Miss SA contestant Chidimma Adetshina could be facing criminal action for identity theft.
On Tuesday, Parliament’s Home Affairs committee has been informed the Hawks are now involved in the probe.
The Department of Home Affairs revealed on Tuesday, 20 August that Chidimma Adetshina’s mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman who was registered in 1982 in Tshwane.
WAS CHIDIMMA ADETSHINA BORN IN 2001?
The documents shared by the department on social media reveal that the child of the South African woman [whose identity was stolen by Chidimma Adetshina’s mother] is the one who was born in 2001.
“The child that was registered was Chidimma Adetshina. The information shared by the family of the lady whose ID was stolen in Tshwane matches the details contained in the department’s records,” adds the department.
Was the Miss SA finalist born in 2001 when the South African woman also gave birth to her child or was she born before 2001?
Sowetan reports that she is 23 years old, and she was born at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital to a Nigerian father and mother of Mozambique descent.SOUTH AFRICANS REACT TO MISS SA FINALIST: ‘NOBODY BELIEVED SHE WAS 23’
@jessy_jessss: “Her lying to the Nigerian organisers of the pageant proves she is not innocent. She definitely knew how she obtained that ID hence the minute she was exposed she quit Miss SA. Also, nobody believed she’s 23 with that face.”
@MaggyValen: “She does. She looks maybe between 27 and 29/30. Jerrrr maan, this child.”
@Dules_k76: “She must be stripped of that ID number and be deported to Nigeria. Her mom must be arrested. Guys you don’t understand the pain ye identity theft some of us have experienced it.”
@Alicemakochieng: “You’re correct. So, Chidimma is way older than her purported 23 years nton nton. She wasn’t born in 2001, that’s when the original ID owner discovered a child had been registered under her stolen ID.”
@muzi2104: “I’m even suspecting that she wasn’t born in South Africa.”
@Gracious__Mee: “Exactly. Something doesn’t add up. Her mom stole someone’s identity, the next thing Chidimma shares a birth year with the victim’s child? In which hospital or clinic was she born?”
The investigation into former Miss SA Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship has been blown out of the water after the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) revealed that both her parents were involved in the fraudulent registration of her birth.
The beauty queen – who is now a finalist in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant – has a Nigerian father and an alleged Mozambican mother.
On Tuesday, 20 August, the department released an update on the investigation, including information that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) had been roped into the probe.
But what does this mean for the citizenship status of the Chidimma?
CHIDIMMA CITIZENSHIP STATUS: COULD SHE BE RENDERED STATELESS?
Addressing parliament, Advocate Pheleni Khumalo, DHA Head of Legal Service, discussed the implications of the actions of Chidimma Adetshina’s parents, who allegedly fraudulently registered her birth in 2001.
He said: “Now that the mother’s status is in question, in the event that the DG [Director General] finally cancels that identity document, the registration itself [of birth] was fraudulent. And therefore, that status cannot stand in law.
DHA has provided an update on allegations of fraud and identity theft against Chidimma Adetshina’s mother. How will it affect the 23-year-old?
Images via Instagram:
@chichi_vanessa/ YouTube screenshot
“She would qualify to apply via the Section 43 of the [Citizenship] Act, assuming that she was born in the country and her birth was registered in terms of the Birth and Death Registration Act.
“The problem she will then face is that the legislature would not have anticipated a fraudulent registration of birth”.
He continued: “When everything is cancelled, does it render her stateless? Does she have Nigerian citizenship, does she have Mozambican citizenship? We will have to navigate that point in time. But that will happen when the investigation is completed.”
[LISTEN] The Department of Home Affairs responding to questions in Parliament (Home Affairs PC) on what is the current identity status of former #MissSA contestant, Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina.
Including a response about the alleged involvement of her father (not just her… pic.twitter.com/cgVbeGHIKM
— Athi Mtongana (@AthiMtongana) August 20, 2024
FACTS ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION
Here is what we know so far about the progress in the DHA investigation into Chidimma Adetshina’s parents.
Home Affairs has identified officials who were involved in the fraudulent registration of Chidimma’s birth in 2001. One of them has since passed on. The others are under investigation
The woman whose identity was allegedly stolen by Chidimma’s mother was registered by her own mother in Tshwane in 1982.
In 1995, she applied for her ID . However, she discovered that it had been issued at a Johannesburg branch, which she had not visited.
In 2001, the woman also gave birth to a child. When attempting to register the child’s birth, she discovered that a child was already registered under her ID number. That child was registered as Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina.
Home Affairs has since visited both Chidimma’s mother and the woman whose identity was allegedly stolen.
Chidimma’s mother was issued with a Promotion of Administrative Justice Act letter. How she responds to it will determine the way forward with regard to prosecution.
Chidimma’s father was also allegedly involved in the fraudulent registration of her birth. It’s unclear if either he or Chidimma’s mother had valid documentation to be in South Africa.
Chidimma’s ID and passport have not cancelled her identification pending the investigation; however, she could have travel restrictions imposed.WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF CHIDIMMA’S DOCUMENTS ARE DISCOVERED TO BE FRAUDULENT?
According to Stefanie De Saude Darbandi from DSD Immigration Attorneys, Chidimma’s mother could be rendered an illegal foreign national if the DHA finds that her permanent residency and citizenship were fraudulent.
She said: “According to South African law, a prerequisite for citizenship by naturalisation, which we were told is how she obtained her status, is holding a valid permanent residency permit. We don’t know if Chidimma’s mother actually had permanent residency status, but this would have been one of the lawful requirements to meet.
“If her mother had lawful permanent residency at the time of Chidimma’s birth, then Chidimma’s citizenship might, in law, still stand. However, if her mother’s permanent residency and subsequent citizenship were fraudulent, then Chidimma’s status as a South African citizen is in jeopardy, potentially rendering her an illegal foreigner.”
However, there could be a loophole for Chidimma to remain a SA citizen under Section 43 of the Citizenship Act.
De Saude Darbandi continued: “If she was born in South Africa, had her birth registered here and has lived in the country until reaching the age of majority, she may still qualify for citizenship regardless of her parents’ status.”
According to X user @ernst1023, the Citizenship Act does consider the best interests of the child. There could also be a restorative option, where the legislature can “make provisions to allow the innocent party to retain citizenship or obtain residency status if it’s determined that the wrongdoing was not their fault.”