“Going shopping was always painful because there were never fashionable clothes in my size, the shop assistants would not even take the time to help me” said Ouma Tema while fidgeting with her hot pink coloured long nails.
The size 44 women is redefining the average South Africana’s idea of beauty with her new fashion line Plus Fab- Not just the right size.
“Full-figured women also want to look stylish and fabulous and do not want to be dressed in any old thing just because it fits them. This is when the idea of making my own clothes came from. The demand was high, and PlusFab was born,” she explained.Like many other women who are image-conscious, Ouma has tried most of the recommended diets, but they never worked for her. “I have tried soups and shakes – gosh, you name them, I have tried them all. Now I have accepted my body and come to terms with the fact that I will never be slim,” she said with a calm voice looking down at the table.
Ouma says women of her size have many health risks and complications. “I walk most of the time and eat healthy food. I don’t do it to lose weight, but to stay healthy. A good friend once said if you love your body, you will not do anything to harm it” she added.
South Africa’s top-notch and well respected poet, Lebo Mashile, who is also a good friend of the “diva”, as she is popularly known, has been seen on magazine covers and countless events showing off PlusFab designs. Member of Parliament, Thandile Sunduza, wore one of Ouma’s creations to the recent State of the Nation Address. “I am now working with singer Winnie Khumalo, whom I will be dressing too,” Ouma said.
In 2002, the fabulous and outspoken Ouma from Phalaborwa, Limpopo, came to the big city, Pretoria, with the intention to study drama at Tshwane University of Technology to study performing arts. “I was one of those students who did not apply on time; consequently I ended up doing Public Management,” she said.
This vivacious lady who comes from a family of four describes her childhood as a happy one. “My mother worked at Ellerines furniture shop. She tried her best as a single parent to give us what we needed at that time,” she said.
After primary school, Ouma went to Mokomene High School in Ga-Ramokgopa, where she was a boarder. She said she was an introverted kid and felt out of place because she was bigger than other kids at school, but still participated in almost everything. “Being at boarding school really taught me a lot about responsibility and how to handle freedom away from home,” said Ouma while sipping on a strawberry milkshake.
‘I have stretch marks, so what? She said with a huge smile on her face and a loud voice when asked about her future plans. “This is the Stretch Shirt Campaign I’m launching in partnership with the Saartjie Baartman Centre in Cape Town” she said while looking around making sure people around could hear her. “The messages on the dress shirts will be: I have stretch marks, so what?” She says that will remind people of what Baartman went through, all because of her body structure.
The size 44 women is redefining the average South Africana’s idea of beauty with her new fashion line Plus Fab- Not just the right size.
“Full-figured women also want to look stylish and fabulous and do not want to be dressed in any old thing just because it fits them. This is when the idea of making my own clothes came from. The demand was high, and PlusFab was born,” she explained.Like many other women who are image-conscious, Ouma has tried most of the recommended diets, but they never worked for her. “I have tried soups and shakes – gosh, you name them, I have tried them all. Now I have accepted my body and come to terms with the fact that I will never be slim,” she said with a calm voice looking down at the table.
Ouma says women of her size have many health risks and complications. “I walk most of the time and eat healthy food. I don’t do it to lose weight, but to stay healthy. A good friend once said if you love your body, you will not do anything to harm it” she added.
South Africa’s top-notch and well respected poet, Lebo Mashile, who is also a good friend of the “diva”, as she is popularly known, has been seen on magazine covers and countless events showing off PlusFab designs. Member of Parliament, Thandile Sunduza, wore one of Ouma’s creations to the recent State of the Nation Address. “I am now working with singer Winnie Khumalo, whom I will be dressing too,” Ouma said.
In 2002, the fabulous and outspoken Ouma from Phalaborwa, Limpopo, came to the big city, Pretoria, with the intention to study drama at Tshwane University of Technology to study performing arts. “I was one of those students who did not apply on time; consequently I ended up doing Public Management,” she said.
This vivacious lady who comes from a family of four describes her childhood as a happy one. “My mother worked at Ellerines furniture shop. She tried her best as a single parent to give us what we needed at that time,” she said.
After primary school, Ouma went to Mokomene High School in Ga-Ramokgopa, where she was a boarder. She said she was an introverted kid and felt out of place because she was bigger than other kids at school, but still participated in almost everything. “Being at boarding school really taught me a lot about responsibility and how to handle freedom away from home,” said Ouma while sipping on a strawberry milkshake.
‘I have stretch marks, so what? She said with a huge smile on her face and a loud voice when asked about her future plans. “This is the Stretch Shirt Campaign I’m launching in partnership with the Saartjie Baartman Centre in Cape Town” she said while looking around making sure people around could hear her. “The messages on the dress shirts will be: I have stretch marks, so what?” She says that will remind people of what Baartman went through, all because of her body structure.
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