Which local beauty could play Sarah Baartman?

Local celebrities believe Saartjie “Sarah” Baartman’s movie should be portrayed by a South African who has a “full package” of African beauty.

They explain that South African stories should be told by their own, ruling out Beyonce Knowles-Carter as a good potential public figure to play Baartman. Although her management company has said Beyonce is not tied to the movie, she has widely been linked with the role.

Baartman, was born in the late 1700’s in the Eastern Cape and was sold to England by a Scottish doctor called Alexandra Dunlop. According to reports, this is where she was exhibited as an anthropological freak because of her large buttocks.

Baartman died in 1816 at the age of 26 and her remains were brought back to South Africa in March 2002 and were buried at the Saartjie Baartman centre of remembrance. Her grave has been declared a national heritage site.

Based on Baartman’s fame, it was alleged Beyonce was creating a movie about her and will play the lead role. South Africans have since criticised Beyonce as they believe she does not match the qualities of true South African beauty and barely understands Baartman’s journey.

Local celebrities who were interviewed believe these South African women could ace the role of Baartman in Beyonce’s supposed movie.

1. Television presenter Minnie Dlamini

Minnie Dlamini wears a dress by Asanda Madyibi at the Metro FM Awards. Picture: Gallo Images

2. Musician Bucie

Bucie at the Cruz Vodka Official SA Fashion Week Opening Party on October 21, 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa. South African Fashion Week started last night with top designer Gert-Coetzee showcasing his collection at the Ferrari Showroom in Bryanston. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Antonio Muchave)..

3. Sbu and Shawn Mpisane’s daughter Sbahle Mpisane

4. Pop Idols judge Unathi Msengana

Unathi Msengana. Picture: Bona

5. Terry Pheto

Terry Pheto. Picture: Supplied

6. Brenda Ngxoli

South African actress Brenda Ngxoli. Picture: Gallo

7. Thandiswa Mazwai

Thandiswa Mazwai performing at the Cape Town Jazz Festival held at the International Convention Centre on April 6, 2013, in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Veli Nhlapo)

These are the women who most South African men would say have a “Coca-Cola” figure and a true model of an African beauty.

Well-known musician, Tshepo Motshegoa, known as Bantu Soul, believes Minnie would be a good candidate if Beyonce could truly produce Baartman’s movie. He said stories of South Africans should be told by locals who have natural African behinds and are fully-figured. He said nothing should be supplemented to enhance their “Africanness”.

“Minnie will do a good job. She’s got the assets (township slang for buttocks) to play the role of Baartman. She is in touch with her roots. She respects her Africaness and has been forward about that. She has a high profile and can pull that kind of a role,” said Bantu Soul.

Bantu Soul said Beyonce is beautiful but she is not the best person to play Baartman. Musician Doc Shebeleza also believes Beyonce is no match to South Africans.

Doc Shebeleza’s choice is Sbahle because not only is she a Zulu woman, but she is a typical “African beauty”.

He said she has the “whole package of an African woman” and “she does it for me”. Doc Shebeleza also said Bucie was his second choice.

But Senyaka’s brother, Tlali Kekana said Unathi is relevant. Kekana highlighted that Hollywood movie producers often choose a lead character based on their popularity.

If Beyonce were to create a movie about Baartman, who do you think would fit her role? Share your views with us below.