Miss SA: How to obtain South African citizenship (by immigration lawyer)
Miss SA row raises the spectre of ongoing xenophobia and Afrophobia in South Africa, laments Lester Kiewit.
Chidimma Adetshina, Miss SA contestant / Instagram: chichi_vanessa
Lester Kiewit speaks to Stefanie De Saude Darbandi, an immigration law specialist at DSD Immigration Attorneys. They discuss citizenship, and the xenophobic storm surrounding Miss SA contestant Chidimma Adetshina.
Listen below.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has confirmed his department will investigate the nationality of Miss South Africa hopeful Chidimma Vannessa Adetshina, based on a request by those 'related to this matter'.
Due to her heritage, Adetshina is at the centre of a social media storm.
Born at Soweto's Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, the 23-year-old's background has sparked debate.
Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie last month voiced concerns about the model's participation in the pageant, with X users calling him xenophobic.
De Saude Darbandi says it's a regrettable situation.
"The underlying issues here are xenophobia and Afrophobia and it's quite sad."
- Stefanie De Saude Darbandi, Immigration law specialist - DSD Immigration Attorneys
"The law applicable at the time of her birth provides that, if at the time of your birth in South Africa... at least one of your parents is either a South African permanent resident or a South African citizen, then you were born a citizen."
- Stefanie De Saude Darbandi, Immigration law specialist - DSD Immigration Attorneys
In other words, even if neither of Adetshina's parents were South African, but had permanent residency at the time of her birth, Adetshina would still be a South African citizen.
"What we know is that her mother is a dual national of both South Africa and Mozambique. Apparently, she was a naturalized citizen."
- Stefanie De Saude Darbandi, Immigration law specialist - DSD Immigration Attorneys
De Saude Darbandi further explains that eligibility of the 16 finalists is not decided by Home Affairs, but rather by the relevant legislation.
"It is the law that dictates her status. It is not Home Affairs that dicates her status."
- Stefanie De Saude Darbandi, Immigration law specialist - DSD Immigration Attorneys
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