Nothing can put Lamiez down
JUST as no one will tell her what to play during a gig, how to style her hair or tattoos she is allowed to have, body shaming is the last thing that is going to deter DJ Lamiez Holworthy.
Critics have been poking fun at her weight gain on social media, while throwing cheap shots at her knees and thighs. Some have even gone as far as calling her “senatla” a sotho word for strong and masculine.
But for the Pretoria-born star it is nothing new. Holworthy, 28, opened up about dealing with colourism, saying she grew up around people who made her feel like there was something wrong with her dark skin.
“I was the darkest among all of my siblings. I was the odd one out, more especially in the coloured community where the majority are light-skinned.
“But I guess looking back now, all of that sidelining and poking fun at was good practice, because no one is going to hurt me about my ‘flaws’. I have embraced them.”
She also acknowledged her mother for instilling character and strength in her from childhood.
She was born to a black father, whose information remains unknown, and a coloured Indian mother.
Describing her upbringing, she recalls having to deal with racism and bullies – both at school and on the streets of Laudium – because she was black, unlike her parents and siblings.
This fact affected her sense of identity while growing up, but she scaled through that phase and has turned out to be a strong and successful woman.
Holworthy admitted that there was no denying women and girls were socially conditioned from a very young age to feel that most of their value comes from their looks and bodies.
She said the scrutiny (both external and internal) could be unrelenting.
“If you are a celebrity who is constantly in the public eye – with paparazzi following your every move and criticisms being brutally levelled at you from all directions – it’s arguably more so,” she said.
“That said, you have to stand your ground,” she added.
“Saying ‘thank you’ to one’s body is one of the most important things you can do, especially when you’re pursuing a life of self-love and wellness. It’s not a habit that comes naturally because society constantly tells us to change ourselves to fit a socially accepted standard.
“I’ve committed my life to help change society’s expectations and make self-love and body acceptance a mainstream concept.”
Her cross-cultural upbringing meant that she was also exposed to different religions.
She is climbing up the ranks and taking the world by storm. The awardwinning DJ’S hard work is paying off, as she fulfils her long-time dream of about 11 years to join the country’s thirdbiggest radio station, Metro FM.
This was part of the significant reshuffle as the station parted ways with a few people, among them Thomas Msengana, Pearl Modiadie, Lebo Motsoeli, Bujy Bikwa, Luthando Shosha, Khanya Siyengo and Mduduzi Khumalo.
The station has launched a brand new dance show hosted by the soughtafter DJ, alongside renowned DJ, producer and presenter Sikhululo “Lulo Cafe” Maliwa that airs on Saturdays from 4pm to 7pm.