'Body Shaming Has No Place In Society'

Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Monday January 14, 2019 12:54

Speaking to The Monitor, former Tatitown Customary Court president Margaret Mosojane criticised the practice and labelled it as one form of online bullying. She said body shaming even existed in the past because being fat was associated with good living, whereas the majority of skinny people were identified as poor.

Mosojane said some Batswana who are judgmental on how other people look, promote body shaming. “Some people don’t speak right and lack social skills. That is why fat people make fun of thin individuals and thin ones make fun of fat ones. It’s all vice versa,” she said.

“Ke eng o le mosesane?  O a lwala kana o dirwa ke ga re o tshaba dijo.  Ke eng o nonne?  O nwa dipilise.  Ke eng o sena ngwana. (Why are you thin are you sick or not eating properly.  Why are you so fat or is it because of ARV treatment. Why are you barren?)  These kinds of questions are invasive and very abusive, why can’t people live in peace,” she said. 

“Moreover all the different body shapes were created by God, so people should make peace with that and tolerate each other.”  Mosojane also said body shaming is practised everywhere including at home, workplace, recreational places and even on the streets.

She said body shaming is very abusive and instills severe pain on the target.  Mosojane added that Batswana should start introspecting on their character and know that body shaming can be targeted at their relatives and close friends. Another expert, social worker Kgomotso Jongman echoed Mosojane’s sentiments. Jongman condemned body shaming, stating that it is uncalled for and should not be tolerated. He said it affects many people; psychologically, mentally and emotionally. “Body shaming can affect the mind and make one believe that he or she is less of a human being. It can make one lose their self-confidence and esteem,” he said. Jongman added that it usually affects some fat people, something that forces them to sometimes use supplements to lose weight.

 He added that people who are affected by body shaming might end up being depressed. He indicated that some people who are affected are single because they refrain from having relationships and if they are engaged, they live uncomfortably in their relationships.