Miss South Africa CEO Stephanie Weil has responded following backlash on social media regarding two plus-size models who are part of the top 16 finalists.
The organisation was criticised on Thursday after models Beulah Baduza and Sasha-Lee Olivier were described as ‘plus-size’ on their profiles.
Weil said although the two models look perfectly normal, the industry does classify them as plus-size.
She says having them as part of the final 16 provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the matter.
“These 16 girls are representations of all South Africans. Bringing to light these issues is incredibly important as an empowerment tool to be able to stand here and talk about it and if the industry thinks this way then how do we overcome it.
“How do we say they are plus size when they are perfectly normal? What is the spectrum that we talk of? What we try to do is promote healthy minds and healthy bodies,” said Weil.
Miss SA is whyling with that plus-size tweet pic.twitter.com/jUdsdUH4Be
— Lil Bebe (@palesa_moloto) July 11, 2019
miss sa labeled these ladies as plus size models and I – pic.twitter.com/VWRGykZTAZ
— mrs s 🤪 (@entlemtangayi_) July 11, 2019
One day we’ll talk about how 12 year old me nearly found herself on the wrong side of an eating disorder because of “plus-size” jokes but it’s okay, continue Miss SA. The little girls are watching though.
— the sisters (@__muofhe) July 11, 2019
According To Miss SA. Alot Of Y’all Are Plus Size
— M A K A V E L I (@TheBoyTapes) July 11, 2019
Miss SA actually needs to give us a public apology.
Plus size?!
Surely then I’m elephant size😕— mfaz’omnyama. (@mfazomnyama_) July 11, 2019
The pageant will take place on Women’s Day at the Sun Arena, at Time Square in Pretoria.
You might also like…Samkelo Ndlovu claims Trevor Noah once hit on her but she said no
Mzansi actress and musician, Samkelo Ndlovu, revealed that she had once turned down SA comedian, Trevor Noah. Samkelo Ndlovu revealed that she went to high school with Trevor Noah in an interview with MacG.
She also hinted that Trevor Noah once hit on her when they worked together on her first feature film…Read more here
Source: eNCA
