FILE PHOTO: Lesego Tlhabi also known as Coconut Kelz talking to Jane Dutton on eNCA/YouTube. PICTURE: ECR
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0 JOHANNESBURG: In the majority of cases, the people who fat-shame others are slim and never had to struggle with a weight problem.
A local designer of Quiteria & George and owner of Quiteria Atelia- Lebogang ‘Quiteria’ Kekana has been accused of fat-shaming a South African writer, comedian and TV host, Lesego Tlhabi, also well known as ‘Coconut Kelz’.
Coconut Kelz took to the streets of Twitter and expressed how Quitera body-shamed her.
“So today I went to a famous designer who was told sizes way beforehand because it’s for TV. Does he not then describe very loudly in the store after a failed try-on that he has nothing for me & then uses words like ‘fatty boom boom’ to describe how I’d look in the designs. Yoh,” she said.
Fat-shaming involves criticizing and harassing overweight people about their weight or eating habits to make them feel ashamed of themselves. In the majority of cases, the people who fat-shame others are slim and never had to struggle with a weight problem.
Research shows that much of the discussion on obesity on social media involves fat shaming, which often turns into harassment and cyberbullying — especially against women.
What made it even worse is that, instead of Quiteria showing some sort of remorse in his behavior, he decided to go live on Instagram and denied the accusations, saying he will never apologize for anything.
“Fat is not a bad word, I wish I called her fat directly but it wasn’t that …” Quiteria uttered.
No one deserves to be treated in such a manner regardless of the status you hold. Whether your body is thick or thin, black or white, everyone has an equal right to be treated fairly and with respect.
Many took to Twitter to show their support and empathy towards Coconut Kelz.
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