Women and nudity: we got it all wrong!
WeekendLife
Naked women are, it seems, everywhere one turns — so ubiquitous that the sight of them barely registers shock, (except for when you live in Botswana).
More and more women have over the years stripped for the masses, and have over time become renowned for their nudes breaking the internet. And all hide under one banner-feminism.
Feminists who have however done the hardest work are turning in their graves since their hard work is now being exploited by a generation of women who are feeding into the very sexist ideals they fought hard against, ANGELA MDLALANI writes.
A model last week circulated a picture of herself in a bath tub, baring her stretch marks for the world to see. Powerful? Maybe. The photo was shared countless times on Facebook and now some women have followed her to “show appreciation” of their bodies and the flaws, and they are posting on Pinterest. Before we knew it, a debate was on full force about whether she looked sexy. Perhaps that she got photographed naked in a bathtub, bubbles and all caused people to wonder about ‘sexy’.
Countless women have before her done the same, allowed their bodies to speak for them. There is nothing wrong with nudity. The naked body is a blank emotional canvas, able to convey both power and vulnerability in the same instance. Stripped bare, there’s a lot to learn about a person when there isn’t anything for them to hide behind.
Drawing attention to the way that they have been stripped of political power, many protestors have stripped themselves of clothing. In this context the naked body represents vulnerability and strength, being disarmed yet empowered.
Without doubt, women like Kim Kardashian have most of the world worshipping her and anxiously staring at the computer/smart phone screens awaiting her next ‘leaked’ nude.
While a lot of celebrities have had the whole exposing of the bodies work for them, in that like, Kim K, they have raked in money in the millions through their nudity, not all women should buy into this order as it only serves to perpetuate a sexist culture that has women objectified. For a very long time, including now, women’s bodies have been used to sell products through sex. Undeniably, female nudity is powerful, but sexualised nudity is just another way of handing that power back over to men.
A typical example of this is the infamous Berry Heart For Dinner cover. While she did come out to defend her image that looked much like something that crawled out of 50 Shades of Grey a point she painfully missed like many other times before and after that is that by objectifying herself the way she does, her “self expression” or her voice against oppression is only screaming the opposite of what she is trying to bring out.
Most of Berry Heart’s nudes have missed the whole mark, she makes the whole thing about sex, and in that way that power that should supposedly be hers is handed right back to the men and perhaps marketers who ride highly on female nudity, and so goes her campaign on “oppression” straight out the window. But when that nudity is about whole, flawed, human individuals stripping down for a purpose bigger than arousal and marketing, then I think we start to take that power back.
Something the Pirelli calendar of 2016 got right. The calendar according to online reports is a trade calendar which is received by some 20 000 VIP including politicians, celebrities and royalty. The calendar was hailed by an online site as a “feminist dream” and “a new dawn for feminists”.
Supposedly, the calendar features world female icons in their own right, but since 1964 to 2015 all the women appearing in the calendar had sexual poses, were in lingerie or their birthday suits and had their legs wide spread. The 2016 calendar is completely different in that it took a complete U-Turn in artistic direction and women featured. From Serena Williams posing topless but with her back to the camera, and Amy Schumer hiding all her assets but showing off her tummy rolls, and Patti Smith and Yoko Ono fully clothed.
Meanwhile in Botswana, in 2016, it’s another step back. Bouncy’s striping at a national show whose purpose is to celebrate the country’s 50 years of independence might as well be disregarded as she like the many outside the country and in it are still trying to figure out some of these things. The Sasa Klasses, Bouncys, Berrys and indeed Kardashians of this world need to stop helping the world exploit women. They need to put an end to the belief that women are sex objects who need only be celebrated for their bodies and seen as sex objects.
WeekendLife
BOTSWANA TO HOST MISS WORLD 2026
Even though Botswana has over the years been performing extremely poorly at the Miss World competition, the country has confirmed that it will be hosting the beauty festival in 2026. Initially, the country was to host Miss World next year, something it failed to confirm before deadline. Director at Miss Botswana, Benjamin Raletsatsi, says Botswana will be ready then to host all participants. Miss Botswana Top 25 finalists left the boot camp yesterday. Quite shocking though, Miss Botswana team is still failing basics as responding to media inquiries on time yet it is dangerously hoping to host an event of high status
WeekendLife
DJ Sway ‘saved’ the YAMAs
DJ Sway, the daring and ambitious on-air presenter of Yarona FM, played a crucial role in saving the radio station’s music awards, known as the YAMAs. The event was initially dry and disorganized, but DJ Sway, who co-hosted with Pearl Thusi, injected life into the show. However, things took a turn for the worse when Pearl Thusi abruptly left the stage, leaving DJ Sway to carry on alone. Despite the unexpected setback, DJ Sway rose to the occasion and captivated the audience, effectively putting an end to the drama caused by Pearl Thusi.
In an exclusive interview after the YAMAs, DJ Sway revealed the behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolded during the event. He acknowledged the script editors, Phalana and Hope, who worked tirelessly to reedit the script and adapt it to a one-host format. Despite the last-minute changes, DJ Sway remained composed and focused, thanks to the support of his colleagues, such as Owen Rampha, Katlego Rakola, Tshepang Motsisi (DJ Easy), and LB.
When asked about his initial reaction to the unexpected turn of events, DJ Sway admitted to feeling saddened by how things ended. However, he credited Pearl Thusi for giving him a much-needed confidence boost during his moment of doubt. She reminded him that he was destined for greatness and that he didn’t need big stars to succeed. With her words of encouragement, DJ Sway regained his composure and approached the rest of the show with the same professionalism and charisma he displays on the radio.
To overcome the challenges he faced, DJ Sway relied on his radio skills and calm personality. He engaged with the audience as if he were speaking to a single person, pointing out individuals in the crowd to create a more intimate connection. He also expressed gratitude for his backstage team, who provided support and ensured the smooth running of the show.
DJ Sway expressed satisfaction in being seen as the saving grace of the YAMAs. He believed that he fulfilled his role as a host and brought joy to the Yarona FM board, his family, and his fans. Despite his success, DJ Sway’s journey has not been without hardships. He has experienced the loss of his mother and sister, which has left a lasting impact on him. While he continues to grieve, he seeks solace in therapy sessions and relies on his father for emotional support.
DJ Sway’s dedication to his craft and ability to overcome adversity make him a remarkable figure in the radio industry. His vibrant personality and deep knowledge of music have made him a perfect fit for Yarona FM. Despite the challenges he has faced, DJ Sway remains determined to make a positive impact and bring joy to his listeners. With his talent and resilience, there is no doubt that DJ Sway will continue to thrive in his career and leave a lasting legacy in the world of radio.
WeekendLife
Chef Gustos walk of shame
Chef Gustos, the renowned hitmaker, recently experienced what can only be described as a walk of shame at the 8th edition of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs). Despite being nominated a whopping seven times, he failed to secure a single win. Ouch!
The night was filled with surprises, drama, and controversy, but the biggest winner of the evening was Han C, who walked away with three awards, including Best Pop and Best Male Single for his hit song, “Sebinki.” Han C graciously announced that he would be donating P10,000 from his winnings to his fellow nominees, promoting a spirit of togetherness among artists. What a noble gesture!
Meanwhile, Chef Gustos found himself on the losing end of several categories, including People’s Choice Artist of the Year, which he had won in the past. He seemed unfazed by the loss, stating, “People know that ‘Away’ was big, but they won’t stop me.” It’s clear that Chef Gustos is determined to continue making music, regardless of the awards he receives.
However, he did express his frustration with the outcome, suggesting that the awards may be corrupt. He declined to comment further, citing the need to protect his brand and maintain good relationships with corporate clients. It’s understandable that he wants to avoid any potential damage to his future prospects.
In fact, Chef Gustos went so far as to request that Yarona FM not nominate him for future YAMAs. It seems he wants to distance himself from the disappointment and focus on his music without the pressure of awards. Perhaps this decision will allow him to create freely and without the burden of expectations.
While Chef Gustos may have experienced a walk of shame at the YAMAs, it’s important to remember that awards do not define an artist’s talent or success. His fans still appreciate his music, and he continues to have gigs with corporate clients. So, despite the disappointment, Chef Gustos remains optimistic about his future in the industry.
In the end, the YAMAs may have been a letdown for Chef Gustos, but he’s determined to keep moving forward. He won’t let a lack of awards dampen his spirits or hinder his creativity. And who knows, maybe next time he’ll come back stronger and prove that he’s deserving of recognition. After all, the true measure of an artist’s success lies in the hearts of their fans, not in shiny trophies.