Nthabiseng "Nthabi" Tshivule (24) from Madombidzha village is practically glowing with happiness after she was recently announced Public Choice winner in the Face of Makhado Plus Size 2021.
Nthabi, a third-year language student at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), was lost for words to express her joy. "The good news of my being announced Public Choice winner had injected so much excitement and energy into my system," she said. "I would like to thank the public for voting for me. This proves that they believe in me and my journey in this competition."
She joined the competition after a serious conversation that she had with one of her friends. "I told her I was about to graduate but couldn't walk in high heels. Then she told me about the Face of Makhado Plus Size pageant, and said that I should enter, so that I could learn how to walk in high heels."
She immediately took advantage of the opportunity and joined the pageant without any previous experience in modelling. "Being the Face of Makhado Public Choice winner makes me feel really glad that I joined this pageant, because not only did I learn how to walk in heels, I also gained a lot of confidence. This competition showed me that I am a beautiful plus-size woman," she said.
She feels indebted to all the people who encouraged and supported her through the competition.
Nthabi said that the title placed her in a better position to give back to the community by getting involved with fundraisings for charitable causes. "With this title I will also encourage plus-size women to love, appreciate and accept themselves. I am a proud, black, plus-size woman," she said.