I think this story highlights that "tribalism" more than "racism" is the problem not only in South Africa, but much of the world. People "identify" with their tribe, more than their skin color or nationality. As "social animals", how we identify drives our responses.
Let's use a simple example, one everyone can relate to. I played sports, I identified with my teammates, who were black, white, Asian, and Hispanic... but instead of viewing them by their skin color, I viewed them as my "teammates". The other team was sometimes racially diverse, sometimes virtually all black, and sometimes all white. Didn't matter, they were the "enemy" and we were there to beat them.
In many parts of the world, "neo-Marxism" has focused on breaking down "societies" by focus on "group" identity rather than individual character and "national" identity. In this instance, the woman is being rejected because she is not a member of a "recognized" tribe that collectively comprises "South Africa", but rather an interloper by virtue of her parent's ethnicity.
Had an "accepted" black tribe come forth and claimed Chidimma as one of their own, it is possible the protests would have been withdrawn. The best evidence of that is the winner has been accepted because she "belongs" to the white Afrikaner tribe.
Identity politics is toxic. We can't begin to come together, if we begin with the concept that our "group identity" defines us. Humans' natural inclination to join groups has been used since the beginning to divide people into "us" and "them".
Rather than view this as a pathology of a colonized mind, it would be more accurate to view this as a byproduct of group identity.
The person below, who commented that "white people" must be laughing in delight, is equally guilty of tribalism. As a white person, I see nothing funny or right about this, I see this as just one more example of no matter how appealing "identity politics" might feel, it always turns toxic.
Until we teach our children to view each person as an individual and judge them on their characters rather than other traits, we are doomed to some form of a segregated society based on tribal affiliation. My interest in this is personal. My wife is Asian, my daughter in law is from Africa. I want my children and grandchildren living in a world that recognizes talent, merit, character over tribal association.
The African American community is going through a similar issue with Kamala Harris. She is guilty of appealing to African Americans based on skin color. A fake accent won't make you "blacker". My guess is that Harris should try to appeal to African Americans as equal human beings, who have individual issues, and then persuade them how she can help with those.
Meanwhile, African Americans should not be trying to determine if she is "black enough". They should view her based on what she stands for and what her intended policies are and how those policies will affect their lives.
America should look at what happened in South Africa and realize it can happen here, if we don't abandon this constant focus on group identity.
