Local model makes it to Miss KZN Queen finals

Malesedi Hope Shabangu (23), who grew up in Glencoe, hopes to make a name for herself in the plus-size beauty pageant world.
As a former Dundee High School learner who currently lives in Johannesburg, she entered Miss KZN Queen as a plus-size model in order to break stereotypes in the industry.
She has been nominated as a finalist in this pageant and is now asking the community of Dundee to help realise her dream by voting for her.
“This is the first serious pageant I have entered. I did a bit of modelling as a child, but nothing at this level,” says Shabangu.
She explains that she has no formal training in the beauty pageant world.
Now working in the film and television industry, she entered this competition to break social stereotypes. “We should not let society restrict us from entering beauty pageants because of our body size.
“Being a plus-size model should be just as much of a norm as it is for petite models,” she says adamantly, adding that plus-size models should not conform to the stigma that modelling is only for ‘thin women’.
“Beauty pageants are so marginalised, so let’s break the glass ceiling. If you’re a big woman and want to join the beauty pageant world, don’t let anything stop you.” Asked about what she thinks is the most challenging part of this competition, Shabangu quips that it’s ‘keeping fit and having to walk in high heels’.
“It’s honestly challenging to walk in heels, as I am not used to it, but I accepted this as a challenge I can conquer.
“By breaking the stigma, more plus-size women will be comfortable to enter these competitions, since they will have someone relatable to them having previously entered.”
Her message to other plus-size models is: Be prepared to work harder than everyone else as you break new ground in the beauty industry.
Shabangu also hopes to one day enter Miss South Africa as a plus-size woman.
In addition to beauty pageants, she also has her own foundation called Amandla Akhayo Foundation, which tackles mental health.
To vote, simply visit her Facebook page ‘Malisedi Shabangu’ and click on the link in her bio that will take you to the competition page.
On Instagram, she is uhope_shabangu (the link is pinned on her bio as well). The competition closes on October 22.

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