Curvaceous plus sized women are set to tussle it out at the ‘Miss Curvy Africa’ competition that is due to take place this Friday 25th November, 2022 at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala.
theGrapevine managed to catch up with some of the contestants from different parts of Africa who confessed how happy they are to finally have a competition that recognises them for who they are.

UGANDA’S NASSUNA: Shirat Nasuuna (28), who won this year’s Miss Curvy Uganda competition held at Club Ambiance in Bukesa told theGrapevine that the reason why she was chosen to represent Uganda in the upcoming competitions is because of her confidence and her love for people.
“We have so much to change here in Uganda as plus sized women especially the way people see us, which really matters,” she said.
Nasuuna added that despite the fact that her opponents are very young compared to her, winning the competition will not be about age.
“Because if someone tells me they are 10 years and yet think beyond their age, they are better than someone of 50 years, so it is not in any way about age.”
She insisted that the crown has to remain in Uganda.
Asked about allegations that plus sized women are expensive to look after, Shirat said that they are not expensive even though clothes for plus sized people are sometimes rare to to find.
“Even eating, it’s not that we eat too much, but it is just one’s genes that make them fat,” she said.

NAMIBIA’S MUSHIMBA: Michelle Mushimba alias Fine China (27) from Namibia noted that the reason why she joined the competitions is because the queen was not able to (compete) and since she is a Princess in Namibia, she had to fill the gap.
“I represent all the plus sized women in Africa not just in my country. I feel I was born with the blood of being an African queen. The curves that I have show the pain that we have been through, the ups and downs that we have had in Africa. I want to inspire women across the world that it is not a shame to be fat,” she said.
Michelle also revealed to theGrapevine that the roles that they have is what makes them fat adding that they are not even fat but curvy.
She adduced, “I am not here to say that we are fat, am here to say that it is okay to be the way we were born. So, I’m here to tell women that its okay to be fat but also to tell them not to be too comfortable but work hard on your body. Sometimes even a five minutes walk could change alot. I would also like to represent mental health awareness because alot of women have burgages because they are stereotyped.”
Michelle also emphasized that as a plus sized woman, she has faced alot of challenges like when she walks around the street and people make fun of her.
“It sometimes makes me want to hide what I have but then I realise that a lot of people out there are paying a lot of money to have what I have.”

TANZANIA’S TETA: Sarah Teta Susaki from Tanzania (26) told theGrapevine that she is excited to represent her country and Africa in the upcoming competitions.
She added that to her, it is not expensive to be plus-sized. She advised women of her size to keep fit and maintain good health.
She however narrated an incident where her size stopped her from achieving her long desired goal.
“I remember one time I wanted to become a model and so I joined some competitions but to my disappointment, the judges plainly told me I can’t be one because I’m fat. This was the worst day of my life because I felt really embarrassed. I’m proud of who I am and what I have,” Teta said.

BOTSWANA’S RAFLINE: Refline Dirent (22) from Botswana noted that she has faced many challenges with her body including people calling her imperfect because of her legs.
“I have very black stretch marks so I have had so much criticism about that and even to this day people still criticise me,” she narrated.
She divulged that the reason why she thinks she is the best candidate for Miss Curvy Africa 2022 is because she is working on a project that is mainly based on protecting animals especially Rhinos since they are also fat.
She propounded, “In as much as I’m a plus size, I’m not telling people to be fat or eat whatever they want. Please be careful what you put in your body.”

BOTSWANA’S LUDO: Ludo (28), from Botswana also disclosed that their country is full of beautiful curvy women that is why they couldn’t choose only one representative.

BOTSWANA’S THIMELO: Thimelo Bridget (29), from Botswana, an Accountant by profession told theGrapevine that it has been her wish to be an Ambassador for plus sized women because of her love for elegance and good fashion.

SOUTH SUDAN’S BRIKITA: South Sudan’s Brikita (19), is the youngest contestant. She told theGrapevine that it is difficult to be plus-sized in South Sudan because men are always vibing them.
She narrated, “In South Sudan, people can even get to an extent of bewitching you because of your body size. So, when I’m there I wear big clothes. I have literally faced a lot of challenges being this size.
“I remember one time I was moving and some people started criticising me and when I tried to respond to them, they almost beat me up but the good thing I had friends that backed me up.
“That is why am here because I want people out there to know that it is very okay to have a big body and to be plus size.”
By Kalamira Hope and Joel Wansaale
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