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If the body-shaming Twitter trolls and cyberbullies thought they had got the better of singer Busiswa Gqulu, they must think again.
The queen of gqom and House is having none of it and has told City Press she is proud of the #IAmMe campaign by Ackermans that features her with some of Mzansi’s favourite celebrities, actress Rami Chuene, TV presenter Kim Jayde, TV presenter Minki van der Westhuizen and radio personality Pearl Modiadie.
The brave media personalities posed in their lingerie to create a hashtag movement of women proud to show their true selves and embracing their flaws and imperfections.
Many have passed nasty comments and questioned why Busiswa (30), a new mum, agreed to expose her body publicly. But the Banomoya hitmaker told us that health is wealth and not everyone is a size 32.
“Even though I haven’t lost the baby fat, I am confident in my body. Every woman deserves to feel sexy ... Me in lingerie shows that I am not hiding who I am,” said Busiswa.
She said it was sad that black women always had to fight to be represented in the mainstream media, which encouraged only certain types of women to be free to be themselves. “We are under so much pressure to be perfect and look a certain way.”
The mother of a one-year-old son, Lakhanya, has always embraced her fuller figure. Even during her third trimester she was making people dance by doing the popular vosho.
“No one has to have power over me, I am in control of my life,” said Busiswa. She believes the campaign will appeal to normal South African women and will promote self-love.
Actress Chuene also gave the campaign a thumbs up, describing it as simple, honest, real, authentic and something she could relate to. “It speaks to every woman,” she told City Press.
Chuene said the photos show all women that they are beautiful, “even though we’re shaped and built in our own unique way”.
“Behind every flabby tummy, cellulite dimple, stretch mark and scar, there is a beautiful story that does not get to be told,” Chuene said.
Busiswa said she had received plenty of love: “Many women have given me feedback saying they felt unseen in the media and in retail spaces but, after they saw the campaign, they feel as if I represent them.”
