Local Miss Curvalicious makes it top 12 finalist
“I want to continue reaching more people. That is my passion and it includes extensive focus on the boy child because they are often side-lined or deprived of opportunities."
West Side FM presenter and Miss Curvylicious top 12 finalist, Nondlala Tyakathe hopes to use her platform as Miss Curvylicious 2023 to advocate for more plus size people to be confident in their own skin despite “imposed beauty standards”.
The 39-year-old from Kagiso is making this her first official pageant entry, as she gears to be the ultimate queen to take up the coveted Miss Curvylicious crown at the prestigious event to be held at the State Theater, Pretoria.
She considers herself as an ambitious, humble and definite spirit which has propelled her even when the odds are against her.
Tyakathe, who is currently pursuing her studies in radio production, sought to enter the pageant space as something that will get her out of her comfort zone, away from the radio waves.
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“This pageant has been a positive experience. It has highlighted the need to truly have a community of people around- who support and rally around you.
“Especially as plus size people we are often shamed and subjected to beauty standards as undesirable by society, and a lot of body shaming but throughout the journey I’ve learnt to build a more positive and friendlier relationship with self.
“The community of sisterhood from the pageant has shown me that even when mocked, I should not to take it personally, sometimes it’s just ignorance.”
She told Urban News that it has been a whirlwind journey to embody and embrace herself- and be okay in her body and skin.
She said it remained imperative for more platforms to include and celebrate women of all sizes and shapes.
“The pageant itself affirms that I am seen and heard as a woman, that we understand that there is a need for wide representation across the board.
“This is what the pageant has been able to do for me, break down those barriers for women and affirm that they too have a space where they can go without the shame, that tight skirt or dress we can wear it.”
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A creative at heart and a true champion of community building, her work is seen in her philanthropy work in Kagiso, with her daily motto being the change you want to see.
This has seen her venture out into motivational talks on radio and expanding her work with community organisations and ordinary citizens working with the disabled people, children raised by single mothers, the elderly and those battling substance abuse.
Her immediate plans include hosting a pageant contestant next month for children with disabilities.
“I want to continue reaching more people. That is my passion and it includes extensive focus on the boy child because they are often side-lined or deprived of opportunities.
“As a mother raising a boy child, it’s important to help these young boys into well-mannered young men.
“We live in a society where fathers are not present, so we want to bridge that gap through mentorship and programmes that ensure that they are prioritised, heard and linked with other male figures that they can look up to.”
