When a beauty pageant suddenly hits the pause button, it’s usually met with shock, speculation, or disappointment.
But for Chidimma Adetshina – the South African-born model who made waves as Miss Universe Nigeria and ended up the international runner-up – it was more of a moment for laughter than concern.
She took the latest Miss South Africa (Miss SA) news in stride, even responding online with a cheeky meme and a sharp reply that reminded fans she’s not one to be messed with.
Miss SA Finale Delayed as Management Changes Hands
It’s now official – the Miss SA finale, originally scheduled for August, has been postponed until later in 2025.
The announcement was made through a statement shared on the fanpage @misssafandom, where organizers explained that the shift was to better align with global events and timelines.
This comes on the heels of a major shake-up at the top. Stephanie Weil, the CEO of the Miss SA organization, recently stepped down.
The reins have now been handed over to Africa Fashion International, which is promising a new direction full of “growth and innovation.”
Fans weren’t exactly shocked by the delay, especially since there had already been a noticeable holdup in announcing the Top 30 finalists.
Many had seen the signs coming.
Chidimma Reacts with a Meme and a Message
Among those reacting to the postponement news was Chidimma Adetshina herself, who once competed as a Miss SA finalist before stepping down last year.
Not long after, she went on to win Miss Universe Nigeria – a move that allowed her to proudly represent Nigeria on the international stage, where she ultimately secured the runner-up title.
On Instagram, she responded to the Miss SA update by posting a meme of a man trying hard not to laugh – clearly throwing a little shade.
When a follower accused her of being “petty,” Chidimma clapped back with:
“I’m just smiling. I’ve given you way too much access to me, and I’m sure that’s your biggest achievement this year. Go rest, bye!”
That kind of unbothered confidence is part of what’s earned her fans across multiple countries.
A Year of Wins, Drama, and Legal Trouble
But Chidimma’s journey hasn’t been without controversy.
Last year, she made headlines when South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs launched an investigation into her background.
The focus was on her mother, Anabela Rungo, who allegedly used fake documents to register Chidimma as a South African citizen at birth.
The investigation escalated quickly. Earlier this year, Anabela was arrested and charged for violating the Immigration and Identification Act.
She was released on bail, but the consequences were significant – both she and Chidimma had their South African IDs and passports revoked.
Despite the legal drama and public scrutiny, Chidimma has continued to focus on her international modeling and pageant career, now operating proudly under the Nigerian banner.
What’s Next for Miss SA – and Chidimma?
With Miss SA undergoing a reset and public confidence wavering, questions remain about how the pageant will rebuild its image.
But as far as Chidimma is concerned, she’s already moved on to bigger stages and broader horizons.
Whether you see her as a bold truth-teller or simply a woman fed up with the politics of pageantry, one thing’s clear – she’s not staying quiet anymore.