Models share their perspective of beauty
Review spoke to Nthabiseng Mohlamonyane, who represents the plus size modelling community and Ndivhuwo Chirenga, who represents the skinny modelling community, to find out what their perception of beauty is
POLOKWANE – “Being who you are makes you beautiful”.
These are the sentiments shared by two aspiring models that could easily be identified as falling on opposite ends of the spectrum, yet both are undoubtedly beautiful. Review spoke to Nthabiseng Mohlamonyane, who represents the plus-size modelling community and Ndivhuwo Chirenga, who represents the skinny modelling community, to find out what their perception of beauty is, particularly because they are in the modelling industry.
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Ndivhuwo shared that the perception of beauty is changing over time and at the moment, the common idea of beauty within the African people is light skin with a nice body to go along with the complexion. “This is why we have young women bleaching their skins and obsessively dieting, in order to match societal pressure. On the other hand, if I were to say what I identify as beautiful, I would use the word ‘natural’. Being beautiful is not what you wear, what makeup you use or the colour of your skin, ” she said.
She added that although the plus-sized models are getting more recognition and dominating which is a good thing. Skinny models are still being favoured because of the societal perception of what models are supposed to look like. Nthabiseng also agreed that skinny models often get preference over the plus-size models, because as much as we can see there is a change, it is not at a level where skinny and thick models are equally appreciated. “The fact that there are models versus plus size models, shows how far we still have to go. There has to be an additional label to the fuller-figured models as if to clearly differentiate the two. We are all doing the exact same thing, why can’t we all just be models by identification?” she explained.
She further reiterated her point with an example of the upcoming Miss South Africa pageant which will take place on Women’s Day, 9 August which will be watched nationally and abroad, but yet there is never a pageant of such grandeur for plus size women. “If Miss South Africa represents the women of the country, wouldn’t it be wise for her to be relatable to the average woman watching on television?” she asked. She added that women should be embraced in all their beautiful shapes and sizes, saying that she loves the body she is in and would not change it because she has seen how young girls are looking up to her. “It’s beautiful being unique and embracing your body,” she concluded.
