They are often called names, to make them feel ashamed and insecure about how their bodies are structured.
Names like dudla, mafutha, stofoza are some of the few that are familiar with body-shaming plus-sized and curvaceous women.
A 2015 New York Fashion week invite to Mapule Mphaki, the founder and CEO of Ms Curvybody, inspired the idea of celebrating women who are “big, bold and beautiful” – instead of body shaming them.
“It was my first time to see a curvy model when Ashley Graham walked the ramp,” recalled Mphaki.
When she returned home, Mphaki said she searched online for modelling agencies for curvy women and pageants in South Africa.
“I realised that there were no pageants that represent the majority of women in Africa, the curvaceous and bodacious women,” said Mphaki.
She sent out a questionnaire to a few curvy women she knew, asking them if they would be interested in her idea of launching the curvy women’s pageant.
The positive responses she received inspired the creation of Ms Curvybody SA.
Mphaki said the pageant has two categories – Miss & Ms Curvybody SA – to accommodate most women who are keen to be part of it.
Asked what is the difference between the two categories, Mphaki explained: “The Miss category caters for the 18 to 28-year-old unmarried women, while the Ms category accommodates the 29 to 40-year-old women, either married or unmarried”.
To qualify for the pageant, contestants register online and get invited to the auditions and judges interview them on general knowledge.
Those who attain higher scores proceed to the next stage of the pageant.
Mphaki disclosed that only eleven finalists are set to compete for the crown during the 2021 Ms Curvybody finals to be held next month.
“We had a whopping 398 online registrations but others got eliminated in the process. We had top 15 for the finals, unfortunately, four pulled out,” said Mphaki.
“Due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, we had to postpone the 2021 pageant.”
The businesswoman said that Ms Curvybody SA is more than just a beauty pageant in that it was also a movement.
“The aim is to debunk the myth that beauty is about size. Women need to embrace their bodies, they should love themselves more, be more confident,” said Mphaki.
“We have adopted the #notobodyshamingandbullying campaign. This is what contestants promote in schools, workplaces and at their homes.
“We appeal to brands that share the same sentiments as ours, to come on board and support us. We do not promote obesity, but a healthy lifestyle”
Leading the pack with the most votes is Koketso Manamela. She says what keeps her going daily is believing in herself and avoiding thoughts.
“I try by all means to hang around people who positively encourage me,” said Manamela.
“A positive mindset and self-confidence are the only two aspects that will see her wearing the crown on the day of the final.”
Manamela has a diploma in Language Practice, that she attained at Technikon Northern Gauteng.
“I wanted to study for a journalism diploma, but I could not be admitted as the course was full. During my studies, I have joined the campus radio station as a newsreader, and a writer for Sosh Times, a local community newspaper”.
In her previous life, Manamela was an interpreter at the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court.
To Apply visit: https://curvybody.co.za/registration-forms/
*The writer Robert Tlapu is a Freelance Journalist
