South Africa's diplomatic relations

South Africa's Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, has affirmed that the recent controversy surrounding Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina, who has Nigerian heritage, does not impact diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria. Adetshina withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant after an investigation suggested her Mozambican mother may have fraudulently obtained residency in South Africa. Lamola emphasized that the issue pertains solely to eligibility rules of the pageant and should not be interpreted as a reflection of broader diplomatic ties. He highlighted the strength of cultural connections between the two nations, citing recent bilateral agreements in sports, arts, and culture. Despite social media outrage over the incident, Lamola reassured that the relationship remains strong and is continuously deepening. The Department of Home Affairs is currently investigating the specifics of Adetshina’s citizenship registration.