Miss Universe SA 2025 title for Melissa Nayimuli sparks heated identity debate

Debate erupts over foreign roots as Melissa Nayimuli named Miss Universe South Africa 2025

Melissa Nayimuli has been officially announced as Miss Universe South Africa 2025, set to represent the country at the upcoming Miss Universe competition in Thailand next month.

The former Miss South Africa 2023 Top 5 finalist’s selection has, however, sparked mixed reactions across social media, with many questioning her roots and eligibility to represent the nation.

Soon after the announcement, online debates erupted, with some users expressing concern that South African women were being “replaced.”

One critic commented, “Women of South Africa wake up, they are trying to replace you. We have another Chidima case on our shores once again.”

Others questioned why the Miss SA organization continues to choose contestants with perceived foreign backgrounds, with one person writing, “What’s with this pageant’s obsession with foreigners representing South Africa?”

While some comments were harsh, others came to Nayimuli’s defense. A user pointed out that she is indeed South African, saying, “The mother is Xhosa from the Eastern Cape, she carries our own blood and was raised in SA. Let’s be careful that in our fight with immigration, we don’t disown our own.”

Still, the backlash continued, with one commenter writing, “It’s not like she’ll win. Let’s not give her the attention Chidimma used to get, she doesn’t have what it takes.”

Another added, “I’m not trying to be mean, but where are the real women of this country?”

These reactions have drawn comparisons to last year’s controversy involving Chidimma Adetshina, a Miss South Africa contestant who withdrew from the pageant after being accused of having fraudulent citizenship documents.

Chidimma’s case became a national debate, exposing deep divisions and strong emotions around identity, migration, and who qualifies as “truly South African.”

Similarly, Melissa Nayimuli’s appointment has once again brought the topic of representation to the forefront.

Many supporters believe her selection is a reflection of South Africa’s diversity and evolving identity, while critics argue it undermines what they see as authentic South African representation.

Despite the online uproar, Melissa is moving forward as the country’s official representative for Miss Universe 2025.

I’m not even trying to be mean but where are the real women of this country? As in our real South African women? https://t.co/fqh5whJz5E

— mzansi fo sho 🇿🇦 (@PalesaMogorosi_) October 22, 2025