Of course, loving yourself and being body positive (embracing your body as it is) is a personal journey. For some, it might take a while to get to a point where you fully love yourself and embrace the skin you’re in – but it’s worth getting there.
Having inspirational, body-positive role models helps you on that journey.
So here are five body-positive influencers who embrace their bodies and inspire other women to do the same. These ladies continue to slay despite the negativity that comes their way:
1. Lesego “Thickleeyonce” Legobane
Blogger, photographer and plus-size women’s activist Lesego Legobane, popularly known as “Thickleeyonce”, grabs the attention of international media and celebrities for her fierce and no-nonsense stance against body shaming.
Did you know she was one of seven models this year at the SA Fashion Week, walking the runway on the opening night? Although she continuously receives backlash from social media trolls, she continues to break through and fight against body shaming.
2. Hulisani Ravele
You probably remember Hulisani as a beautiful, bubbly, freckle-faced YoTV presenter from back in the day. Today she’s a radio host of the Saturday Flex on Capricorn FM.
She actually used to be very self-conscious about her freckles growing up, mainly because she was teased at primary school. Today she loves and embraces her face for its beauty and uniqueness – and it’s truly inspiring.
3. Luthando “Lootlove” Shosha
Lootlove is a Metro FM DJ and MTV presenter. Looking at her at first, you might not think she has ever been shamed for her body, but believe it or not, she has. When she posted a picture of herself in a dress, showing a bit of thigh on Instagram and so many pointed out her cellulite.
But she has posted many pictures of herself, unashamedly embracing her body and not caring what anyone says about the cellulite on her thighs. She’s even spoken up about it, saying that she doesn’t think anyone should be ashamed of or shamed for their imperfections.
4. Anele Mdoda
Radio presenter, TV personality and talk show host Anele Mdoda continuously speaks out publicly about her weight loss and gain struggles in her life. With Anele in the entertainment industry, she doesn’t hide that her journey has not been easy getting people to see past her weight.
However, with her bubbly personality, she continues to slay and recently was the official host of the Miss South 2022 pageant finale. She has remained consistent the past year with her journey of healthy eating and staying fit.
5. Kgothi “Imani” Dithebe
Kgothi “Imani” Dithebe is a fashion model on the rise. She grew up being self-conscious about her facial birthmark but eventually learnt to embrace the fact that it makes her unique.
She never let it hold her back from her destiny and she continues to slay on the runway. Her embracing the birthmark is a motivation for us all to turn what others may see as flaws into features that we see as unique and worthy of flaunting.
These body-positive queens teach us to embrace every aspect of our bodies, whatever our size or features.All of these women have redefined the meaning of beauty. They surely remind us that we’re beautiful and our bodies are beautiful and come in any shape or size.
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