How the search for Miss South Africa turned ugly

What in the World

Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student, has been facing online abuse since becoming a finalist in Miss South Africa 2024. Chidimma is South African and grew up in Cape Town to a Nigerian father and South African mother with Mozambican roots. Some people think she shouldn’t compete because of this - even though she is eligible.

BBC Africa journalist Danai Nesta Kupemba talks us through the details, and what this says about xenophobia and ‘afrophobia’ more generally in South Africa.

This isn’t the first time there have been issues over the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. Melissa Nayimuli - whose father is Ugandan - competed last year and also faced online abuse. She joins us to share her experience.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [e-mail] WhatsApp: [phone] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

This podcast was recorded on Wednesday lunchtime in the UK. On Wednesday evening, the South African government released a statement saying there was an ongoing investigation into fraud and identify theft involving Chidimma Adetshina’s mother, in order to become a South African citizen. On Thursday, Ms Adetshina announced she was withdrawing from the contest “for the safety and well-being” of herself and her family. She did not refer to the investigation.