Plus-size model still walks tall
Kubaye encourage plus-size women to learn to love and accept themselves the way they were.
BARBERTON – Being a plus size does not mean that you need to be ashamed; it means you need to embrace and celebrate what God has blessed you with.
These are the words of a bubbly local model who is very proud to be a well-shaped African woman, Khethumusa Kubaye.
She is well known in this town as a fashion guru.
“I love myself the way I am and I understand my body very well when it comes to clothes that are suitable for me. I love clothes and I can wear whatever I want as long as it fits me well,” said Khubaye.
She told this publication that even though she grew up as a chubby girl, she always wanted to be on point by looking presentable.
“I fell in love with clothes when I was a young girl and I realised that I had a talent for designing. I started to design my own clothes and create my own style.
“I always wanted to look different since I don’t have a problem with my body. Some people used to pass negative comments about me, but I continue to walk tall because that is how God has created me.
“I don’t have a special boutique, I just buy my clothes anywhere. Some of them I design and buy material and seek assistance from local designers to help me,” she reveals.
Mpumalanga News visited Kubaye and discovered that she possessed a staggering 80 pairs of shoes, and when she was asked about it, she said, “Oh, I love shoes so much, but I don’t manage to wear them all often. Sometimes I use a pair once and put it in my shoe box and will wear them some other time or on a special occasion.”
Her love of clothes and being stylish have opened doors for her in the modelling industry. She had an opportunity to model during a fashion show that was held at Taribo Arena Life Style in February last year, where local designers from different districts such as Ehlanzeni and Nkangala showcased their clothes.
“I am a part-time model and I am enjoying every minute of it. I wish one day to open my own boutique where I will provide clothes for people my size, especially women. I have realised that some of them are afraid to go out and do shopping or even to ask for big sizes in stores, they end up buying something that doesn’t fit them well or is too small,” she added.
Kubaye encourage plus-size women to learn to love and accept themselves the way they were. “Yes, people can pass bad comments about your body, don’t feel ashamed, just continue to walk tall. I am talking from experience because some people like to comment about my big bum, but I just take it as a compliment because I love myself,” she concluded.
