South Africa to hold ‘Miss Thick’ pageant : Search start

Entries for the new Miss Voluptiuous South Africa pageant is now open and ladies have until 15 December to enter.

Ladies that is sizes 14 plus between the ages of 18 and 55 can enter, regardless of marital status. A Miss Voluptuous and Ms Volutpuous will be crowned at a Gala Event in Bloemfoantein in July.

This local pageant that forms part of the Miss Voluptuous International pageant, is presented by Bloemfontein based Alicia Stols from Blekker Events.

She explains: “Miss Voluptuous focusses on more than just beauty and a crown. We focus on women empowerment by uplifting and educating women.

“The pageant takes women who are plus sizes and help them to celebrate their bodies. We want them to fall in love with themselves so that they can stand taller and make a difference. To us it is all about a healthy living, and not weight loss.”

The program for the entrants are a wide spectrum of topical sessions from mental health and how to do charity fundraising, to beauty, public speaking and finances of which most will be presented as webinars.

A few of the sessions will also be presented here in Bloemfontein.

Miss Voluptuous is also run as pageants in the United Kingdom, the USA and New Zealand.

Natalie Carley, international director of Miss Voluptuous, says this system was created both out of lack of diversity in societal role models and the lack of options that celebrated multi-faceted plus sized women.

“I think every child should be able to see themselves represented in strong leaders of all shapes and sizes and women should be celebrated for the achievements that make a positive and tangible impact on our communities.”

The winner will compete on the international stage. News24