Sakhile woman reaches Miss Posture semi-finals
She was one of 18 chosen to advance to the next round.
Mbali Mabele (34) has overcome lifelong insecurities about her weight and is now a semi-finalist in the first group of Mister and Miss Posture International South Africa contestants. She was one of 18 chosen to advance to the next round.
Born in Soweto, Mbali moved to Standerton at around age five. She completed her matric at Tobelani Senior Secondary School and holds diplomas in Retail Business Management and Business Administration.
Mbali has always had a passion for pageantry, competing in school pageants throughout primary school. However, she never participated in official pageants due to insecurities about her weight.
After the birth of her son, she struggled to fully accept her body but eventually embraced a healthier lifestyle. Following the passing of her husband in October last year, Mbali moved in with family members.
“It is hard to fully care for yourself when you have to adapt to other people’s diets,” she explained. Despite this, she found creative ways to maintain her wellness while living in a blended household, preparing meals that benefit both her and her family without overspending.
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“The worst thing you can do for your mental health is look at a scale. I prefer to track my progress by how healthy I feel and how my face slims,” said Mbali.
She believes wellness is a personal journey that should suit individual lifestyles and preferences. Mbali is passionate about wellness, healthy living, and personal development, and looks forward to the Miss Posture International SA pageant.
The pageant celebrates confidence, balance, and wellness, focusing on posture, poise, health, lifestyle awareness, empowerment, and education.
“I wanted to be part of this pageant to connect with a community that shares my values,” she said.
A firm believer in self-expression and community service, Mbali aims to use her voice in the pageant to make a positive impact. The semi-final judging will take place on August 16, with the venue yet to be announced. Mbali is optimistic about this opportunity to represent her community with pride.
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