SOCIAL media influencer Mbali Sibeko wants to end body shaming.
Mbali (31), who also presents The Culture on e.tv, started her role as an influencer in 2017.
She said it started when she was stuck in traffic. “I was bored and started thinking of ways to entertain myself in traffic,” she said.
She then started making videos of herself dancing to various Mzansi artists. She said although people loved her, she was body shamed.
“I received a lot of backlash from people from all walks of life,” said Mbali.
She said it hurt her a lot as she was diabetic and took insulin injections daily.
“As a result, during digestion, insulin stimulates muscle, fat and liver cells to absorb glucose.
“When I take insulin as a therapy for my diabetes, my body absorbs too much glucose from food, resulting in weight gain,” she said.
Mbali said after a conversation with several people regarding her experience, she realised there were a lot of people suffering from depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses.
“It starts with cyber bullying by either friends or family members. This causes a number of people to grow up with a very low self-esteem, and deters them from doing what they love,” she said.
She now has a campaign called #MbaliMoti8s, which she promotes at schools. It spreads awareness on: girl motivation, depression and diabetes disclosure.
Mbali told Daily Sun she wanted people to improve their understanding of depression, its causes and possible consequences.
At the end of the tour, she will select one girl who will join her on a lunch date or a day at the spa.
“She will receive a complementary counselling session,” said Mbali.