Stanley Mareka appointed head judge for South African beauty pageant

Namibian-born creative specialist, choreographer and founder of Equipped Performance Arts Stanley Mareka has been appointed head judge for the South African fourth annual Miss Curvylicious beauty pageant next week.

This was confirmed by pageant founder Maatemeke Phasha, a past holder of Miss Curvy Africa.

The show is set to be held at the South African State Theatre on 1 November.

“It’s an honour to be part of this spectacular event of South Africa. It’s my third time to be assigned as a head judge via the pageant.

“I will also lead the ladies and create a choreography for the introduction, simply to get them used to it and observe their professionalism and enthusiasm,” adds Mareka.

According to Phasha, they picked Mareka for his honesty and interest in community development.

“He joined us in 2022 and continues growing with us as the pageant continues growing. We truly are blessed to have him as our head judge,” says Phasha.

Miss Curvylicious is a national pageant and modelling platform with the aim to uplift and celebrate plus-size women of all shapes and sizes in South Africa.

Phasha says the event will soon spread its wings to the Namibian market, with a vision that goes beyond modeling and a pageant platform to include mentorship, empowerment, development of community, as well as the promotion of fitness and healthy living.

“This pageant is unique in the sense that not only does it promote confidence in plus-size women, it also teaches the people about the need for fitness without concentrating on weight loss. It’s a platform of transformation to many women as they continue to carry themselves, interact with the community, as well as contribute greatly to society,” Phasha notes.

She describes how body positivity should be encouraged because we are living in a world where every individual matters, and every person is special one way or another irrespective of their shape, size, or colour.

“Social media does not exist. I hope you, young ladies, invest as much time as you can in yourself. Nurture your art, expand your mind, love yourself and love your body, place yourself first and never allow someone to tell you who you are. Identify who you are and where you would like to be,” Phasha says.

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