Mbombela businesswoman and beauty wins Mrs Curve’ Globe 2023

The Mrs South Africa Curve’ and businesswoman, Lucia Ochan-Simelane, won the annual world finals of Mrs Curve’ Globe 2023.

She competed alongside 77 delegates during the contest in Rancho Mirage, California. The Mrs Curve’ Globe Pageant is a celebration of women of sizes 12 plus that inspires others to love their curves.

“It is surreal! I am still taking it in. I cannot believe it, because this title is not only for the country. It is the entire globe. I am so excited, and I cannot wait to serve the continent and our country.”

Ochan-Simelane is a wife and mother of two. Her advocacy is promoting equal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, bodily autonomy and gender equality. She is the owner of the OT Deyo Med Aesthetic Clinic, founder of NaBo’Ngwane Naturals Skincare Products, a qualified skin care specialist, founder and patron of the Lucia O Foundation, and she participates on numerous councils and chambers within the community. She said she was invited to participate in this pageant.

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“They asked me when I would be competing in an event within this programme called ‘Cultural Night’. I have tried to enter Miss South Africa, but because of my curves, I could not make it,” she explained.

Simelane-Ochan said during the pageant, she chose to celebrate her Nguni lineage and heritage by wearing Isicholo, which represents a royal crown, also worn by married women.

“Traditional Nguni villages or homesteads are built around a cattle kraal, and all doors open to face the kraal. A man’s status in the community is measured by the number of cattle he owns. Cattle are used as ‘lobola’, a gift of appreciation and acknowledgment of worth from the groom’s family to the bride’s family. The crystal beads resembled our precious gems; South Africa contains a wealth of diverse rocks and minerals. My dress colour was cream white; it is associated with purity, harmony, calmness and the absence of pollution. The feathers of the purple crested turaco, known as the royal bird, ligwalagwala, is what I added. I chose the blue and black feathers, which signify my lineage to the Swati people. The guinea fowl celebrates my matriarchal bloodlines that gave birth to kings, nobles and queens,” she explained.

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Ochan-Simelane said now that she has a new title, she will continue with her project she launched, Glow Up.
“This initiative is aimed at aiding women and children through the Women in Need Foundation. This foundation assists women and children who are affected by gender-based violence and narcissistic abuse to recover from trauma through the Reclaiming Me classes offered to all women across the globe.”

Ochan-Simelane said her message to young people is that they should never give up.
“Do not give up on your dreams, no matter what challenges you face. You need to remember that challenges are there to build you. Young people should continue to believe in themselves.”
She also carries the title of Mrs Africa’s first princess. She won the second princess award for best interview as well as the integrity award.