11 Oct 2022

Plus size beauties, over the weekend, strut their stuff on the ramp to be selected in the Miss Africa Plus size Botswana pageant’s Top 12.

The pageant themed: My Identity Attire saw 30 women battling it out for the finale scheduled for Francistown on November 5.

The queen who will be crowned in the final will represent Botswana at Miss Curvy Africa billed for Uganda on November 25.

The queen will three chances because local organisers hold three licences, Miss Africa Plus Size Botswana, Miss Curvy Africa and Miss Plus World.

Miss Africa Plus Size pageant is in the same level with Miss Curvy Africa, so if Botswana queen wins Miss Curvy Africa she will not represent the country at the Miss Africa Plus Size set for South Africa,

March next year, but instead her runner up will represent the country.

The weekend event brought together curvaceous women.

The pageant yearns to plant confidence in plus size women, who for years were not embracing their size.

The weekend provided contestants with a modeling experience that mirrored what was expected of them, including beauty with self-esteem.

The contestants paraded in their own outfits, then doned Basadi ba tlhwatlhwa range known for believing in modesty dressing for contemporary women and in Goitse Mantswe of Majonos Creations.

The pageant originated in South Africa and the Botswana National Director Kemelotsotlhe Muzila in an interview said she was given the Miss Africa Plus Size license in 2020.

“Though other African countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda just to mention a few, are ahead of us, we are confident about making strides in the pageant. Despite launching the pageant this year, we are glad that we are on our way to crowning the first queen,” she said.

Muzila, who hails from Mahalapye, said the pageant was important as the plus size women suffered a lot stigma.

She noted that the pageant also recognised people living with disabilities.

“The public must support and not discriminate us,” she said.

One of the Directors of Africa Miss Plus Size Botswana, Nametso Goilatshwene, said it was rare for people with disabilities to be given opportunities in events such as fashion shows.

“But today we shine the light, by recognising people living with disabilities and their talents and allowing them to speak in this event,” said Goilatshwene.

She said the event was for participants to give new identity to their bodies, adding they did not need validation from anyone.

“We are not going to bow to whatever comments or any judgment that might dictate how we are supposed to look in order to be appreciated.”

Goilatshwene said most of the plus size women had their own insecurities besides being Plus Size due to how they were viewed.

She said some had been criticized for their deep voices, some being shamed for their skin, and as such, she said the event was not only recognising plus size body but bidding farewell to insecurities.

Chief Judge Kootshephile Motseonageng alias Berry heart of Berry Heart Creations said they were looking at stage presence, confidence, eye contact with judges and audience, modelling techniques, creativity and process.

On behalf of people living with disability, Keemenao Muzila, who is blind said he was happy because the physically challenged hardly get promoted and recognised, despite their potential.

He said they have the potential and ability such as the able bodied and have their own way of perceiving things.

The event was sponsored by Debswana, Ettiquete with Sammy Matlhagela, Havillah Beauty of Botswana by Kelly Mokoti, Kid Boy and Berry Heart Creations. Ends