Top actor Rami Chuene speaks about body shaming
Sowetan Women ’ s Club summer inspiration launch
The cold and dreary weather on Saturday failed to dampen the warm spirit of sisterhood and friendship at the Sowetan Women’s Club summer inspiration launch.
Women from all walks of life gathered to hear speaker Rami Chuene on a variety of topics such as body shaming, relating to one’s children, and the persistent and prolific genderbased violence. Chuene, an actress and mother of three, spoke about loving your children unconditionally.
“There is also intentional unconditional love, where you say ke ngwana waka, I love them the way they are but I choose not to leave them the way they are. Weneed to instil values, educate, teach, guide ... encourage, motivate. When you get that fromyour parents, especially mothers, I think it is the biggest gift you could ever gift to your children,” she said.
Chuene said children should be taught that the world will put them through trials but they should be able to find a sanctuary in their parents.
“My kids know when it is time to work, when it is time to play. I need them to be able to explore their lives to the fullest of their potential and see what are their possibilities, and I wish that for especially black children... ”
Chuene went on to speak about the second pandemic facing SA– GBV. “It’s not only about protecting women, it is also about you as a man knowing that when we talk about violence we’re not only talking about physical abuse... the emotional violence that comes with relationships and the verbal violence, when somebody knows that if they say this I’m going to set her off... ”
She said men should not have to tell women they will not hurt them, it should be evident in the way they speak, treat and listen to a woman.
Chuene, who featured in a body positivity campaign by retailer Jet, celebrating women in all their shapes and sizes, answered some questions on body shaming. She said it is hard to escape body shamers, because they can be in your own home, making comments on your weight, unaware they are body shaming you.
She said she turns to advice that talk show host and media mogul Oprah Winfrey gave.
“When we see somebody for the first time our minds are already tuned to think negatively at first. Now we need to reverse that and think positively. Oprah said something that has never left me … when I meet somebody for the very first time, I need to find five things I like about them that my eyes see... by the time you get to the third point, that other point that bugged you dissolves. ”
She said people should learn to embrace their bodies, whatever they look like.
After her talk, the women were treated to a panel discussion with PopUPGym cofounder Khethiwe Mlangeni, Joani Johnson, CEO of the Mrs South Africa pageant, and a representative from Dermalogica. While listening the guests were sipping on Toi Moi, a new spirit cooler, and were entertained by 2019 Idols SA winner Luyolo Yiba.