Culture

Rejected in SA, Chidimma Adetshina wins Miss Universe Nigeria

Published

2 months ago

September 1, 2024

After a bout of xenophobic attacks and rejection forced her to withdraw from a South African beauty pageant, Chidimma Adetshina has won Nigeria’s Miss Universe 2024 which will see her represent the country at the world stage later in the year.

Adetshina, who represented Taraba State at the pageant organized by Silverbird Group which held at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos, on Saturday night, was announced the winner by Guy Murray-Bruce, President of the group after she defeated 25 other contestants to the crown.

Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student, was forced to withdraw from the South African beauty pageant due to xenophobic backlash and rejection over her nationality and came to Nigeria afterwards, accepting to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant competition.

Speaking after she was announced the winner of the pageant, Adetshina said:

“I am so excited, I just feel like this is a second chance in achieving one of my biggest dreams and my biggest goals, and I’m really excited. I’ve always wanted to be a model, I wasn’t really educated on pageantry and all of that.

“When I first knew what pageantry was, it was in 2017, and that’s when I told myself I want to be the next Miss Universe. So, for me, it’s just a thing of I had goals and I set them for myself, and I’m here to achieve them. So, I think I’m just aligning with what I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m really grateful for that.”

However, when asked if she would have participated in the pageant if she was not invited, she said:

“No, I wouldn’t, because I wouldn’t have known if I was able to. And also, it has been long since I’ve been here in Nigeria. But I also saw the comments and I was like, maybe this is something I should try out, but then, obviously, the invitation came out and I was really excited that I was given that opportunity, so that’s why I took it as quick as possible.

“Ever since I’ve gotten here, I’ve only received so much love and encouragement from all of the girls. So, I came in here thinking that a lot of them will feel some type of way about the invitation and about me actually coming, but I can guarantee the words of encouragement, the support I’ve been given by these amazing women has been there.

“I’m just really happy that they accept me, and that they are not feeling some type of way after receiving all the critiques and the comments about this advantage that people might feel that I might have had.”

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Culture

South African tavern owner kills seven, self in deadly mass shooting

Published

3 days ago

October 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A South African tavern owner has reportedly killed seven people, including a three-year-old child, in a mass shooting in Gauteng Province, before turning the gun on himself.

The provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Brenda Muridili, who confirmed the incident, said it happened during the early hours of Sunday, October 13, in the Mokokotlong informal settlement and is being investigated by police in Orange Farms.

Muridili said the incident was stoked after one of the victims went to the local tavern to buy alcohol but he found that it was already closed.

“He (the victim) had an altercation with the tavern owner and went back home. It is alleged that the tavern owner followed him home where the family members were still celebrating after lobola negotiations. The tavern owner entered the house and opened fire on the family members.

“He shot and killed seven people including a three-year-old boy (five family members, a neighbour, and a friend).

“Four people survived the shooting, two of them, a 31-year-old and a one-year-old boy were taken to hospital with injuries while a 24-year-old woman and a four-year-old did not have injuries,” Muridili said.

Muridili said the tavern owner then drove back to his home in Evaton where he then turned the gun on himself and shot himself.

‘He was rushed to the hospital but died on arrival. The Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit has registered seven counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and an inquest,” Muridili said.

Culture

South African star Tyla grabs four MTV EMA nominations

Published

4 days ago

October 12, 2024

Isaac Dachen

2024 is definitely a good year for South African “Ampiano” star, Tyla, as she continues to shine on the global stage after receiving four nominations for the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs).

Tyla, who already boasts of an incredible catalogue full of awards, has scooped a Grammy, a Billboard R&B Award, and an MTV Video Music Award (VMA).

She has also received five nominations for the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) and has more opportunities of scooping more awards with her latest nominations.

Tyla’s EMA nominations include Best New Artist, Best Afrobeats Artist, Best R&B Artist and Best African Act, making it her first-ever nomination for the EMAs.

Tyla who spoke on the new nominations, explained she was beyond grateful for the nominations and said it was “a dream come true to be recognised among such incredible artists.”

According to the South African, the “Water’ star has paved the way for African artists on the global stage, proven to be an inspiration for musicians across the continent, and been a key figure among African artists on the global stage.

“Tyla’s recognition in the Best Afrobeats category, in particular, is significant. It reflects the growing popularity of the genre globally, with artists like Burna Boy and Rema also nominated,” the entertainment platform wrote.

The EMAs will take place in Manchester on 10 November and fans can place their votes up until 6 November with Nigerian singer, Ayra Starr, also nominated as “Best New Artist.”