For Oyama Botha, body acceptance starts with unlocking your confidence, and this month she’s all about helping others find theirs.
I think in this day and age, chasing perfection gets old. Someone who agrees with this is local body positivity advocate Oyama Botha. Bold and tenacious, she stands as a radiant testament to embracing one’s true self, unapologetically and fearlessly. A social-media influencer, style icon, curvy model and digital entrepreneur, Oyama has been a trailblazer for self-love and inclusivity in a society that tends to be dominated by unrealistic beauty standards. But this journey wasn’t always a straightforward one – it’s been a battle of redefining beauty on her own terms.
Living and learning
Born in Fort Beaufort, a small town in the Eastern Cape, to a young mother, Oyama was raised by her grandmother in De Aar – another small, quiet town in the Northern Cape. Although she grew up surrounded by love, she also faced many comparisons because of her size.
“I have a cousin who is four months older than me, and we were often treated like twins. We were always referred to as the one who’s big and the one who’s small. This created a sense of self-awareness in me from an early age, especially when it came to body image and how others perceived me. As much as my family loved us both equally, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of being the ‘big’ one.”
Oyama went to an all-girls boarding school in Kimberley, and adapting to her new environment was anything but easy as she was also seen as ‘the girl from the rural town’
“I was the only one accepted at the school from a small town and I entered a world full of students who spoke a language [Setswana] I didn’t understand. I immediately felt like an outsider. I remember how uncomfortable it was trying to fit in, especially when you don’t share the same cultural and linguistic background,” she reveals.
“I made a decision to learn the language. It was my way of taking control of my discomfort. Working on mastering Setswana taught me to never shy away from challenges and to always embrace new experiences head-on.”
Eventually finding her rhythm, Oyama joined multiple school societies and the school choir, and eventually got into the RCL (Representative Council of Learners). A bubbly go-getter with amazing grades, she earned a spot at the University of Cape Town and later went on to study at Oxford University in the UK.
“I had never been to a big city before, but arriving there completely changed my perspective on life. Cape Town was a space that celebrated my lived experience. For the first time, I felt like I belonged in a space that honoured my background and the lessons I had learned growing up,” she says.
She pursued a triple major in international relations, organisational psychology and public policy & administration, before completing her honours degree in the latter. “But UCT was not just an academic space – it was where I truly began to cultivate my passion for content creation,” she says.
“At first, I had no idea what kind of content I would create, but I was inspired by a classmate’s encouragement. That was the moment I came up with ‘Yammie Hearts and Curves’ – the name being a tribute to my high-school nickname, Yammie, and my curvy body; ‘Hearts’ signified that everything I’d share would come from the heart. I began to share my experiences as a curvy girl navigating the world, breaking away from traditional beauty standards and embracing body positivity.”
Starting that blog in 2012 was a turning point in her life. It opened the door to more curated content creation and allowed her to channel her passion into something tangible. What started as a way to simply share her thoughts and experiences quickly grew into a space where others who felt the same way could find a sense of belonging.
Throughout her journey, Oyama has been a strong advocate for confidence, self-love and body acceptance. She’s never let insecurities hold her back from pursuing her dreams, and she encourages everyone to do the same.
“The decisions I’ve made – from applying to Oxford to starting my blog – have all stemmed from one simple truth: confidence begins from within. In a world that constantly tries to tell you what you should be, I choose to embrace who I am, unapologetically. Every step I’ve taken has been about claiming my space, my body and my narrative.”
Making an impact
Today, Oyama has amassed a following of more than 2.1 million across various social-media platforms, posting fashion, lifestyle and events content. Her feed is truly aspirational.
“I believe influencers and content creators like myself play a crucial role in shaping society, especially in today’s digital-first world. For me, being a person of influence isn’t just about building a personal brand or living my best life’ – it’s about fostering conversations that matter, especially around topics like women’s advocacy and body positivity. I use my platform to share knowledge, tell stories and promote inclusivity, she says.
She does, however, acknowledge the importance of staying genuine in a world that can sometimes feel overly curated. She focuses on showcasing relatable experiences of personal growth, hoping to empower others to take action in their own lives and start living to impress themselves. For her, it’s about having an impact beyond the screen.
As a curvy woman of colour, Oyama believes body positivity is about embracing and celebrating all body types, shapes and sizes, recognising the beauty in diversity and, most importantly, including those who have previously been excluded in society.
“It’s deeply personal because it’s not just about appearance but about fostering self-love, confidence and acceptance of ourselves and others without judgement. Body positivity means rejecting unrealistic societal standards and focusing on what makes us feel strong, healthy and happy in our own skin.”
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Addressing body politics
Taking charge of the body acceptance movement in South Africa, Oyama prides herself on challenging harmful narratives and biases that often result in perpetuating insecurities and exclusion, especially in industries like media and marketing where certain ideals have historically dominated.
“There’s growing representation and awareness, which is encouraging – more brands, creators and platforms are prioritising inclusivity. However, many systemic issues remain, such as fat-phobia, unrealistic editing standards and the pressure to conform to new ‘trends’ in body types,” she states.
“It’s vital for all of us to continue normalising conversations about self-worth and rejecting the idea that our value is tied to how we look. Through my work, I strive to contribute to this movement by highlighting diverse perspectives and promoting content that uplifts and empowers people to feel confident and comfortable in their uniqueness.”
Oyama admits that her passion for the movement is driven by the countless stories of people who have been impacted by her work. Hearing and reading messages from her community about how others find strength, validation and joy in their self-love journey reminds her of why this work is so important. It’s not just about appearances – it’s about mental health and emotional well-being, and creating a world where people can thrive without shame or judgement.
“I remain dedicated because I understand that self-love and body acceptance are on-going practices. I, too, am constantly learning and growing in this space. By staying committed to this advocacy, I not only help others but also reinforce my own growth, ensuring I’m contributing to a more compassionate and inclusive society for future generations.”
Empowering women in SA
The #ABABMeetUp (short for ‘All Bodies Are Beautiful’) is an extension of the work Yammie Hearts and Curves does. This movement and campaign is designed to bring people together to celebrate body diversity, foster self-love and challenge societal norms around beauty. This has seen her hosting lunch meet-ups and workshops in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
It’s more than just a fun social event, though- it’s a safe, empowering space for individuals to share stories and connect with a like-minded community. “The meet-up was born from the idea that everyone deserves a space to feel seen and celebrated, she explains. “I’s an environment where people can explore their own self-love journeys, learn from others, and break down harmful narratives around body politics by collectively advocating for inclusivity and acceptance.”
#ABABMeetUp has been thriving with a few key recent updates, such as virtual events, online resources and intersectional advocacy – addressing how race, gender and disability intersect with body politics. The Yammie Hearts and Curves community is all about nurturing radical self-love, too.
“Radical self-love is essential for women especially, because it challenges society’s deeply ingrained norms that often tie our value to how we look, what we achieve or how we conform in our lives. Radical self-love is an act of reclaiming our autonomy and rejecting systems that profit from making us feel inadequate, Oyama explains.
“For women, in particular, radical self-love is transformative because it dismantles harmful narratives and empowers us to live authentically, unapologetically and on our own terms.”
Oyama wants women to feel free and liberated and not boxed in based on body-related categories. She says that self-liberation as been a deeply personal and transformative journey. “For me, liberation came from realising that my body is not a project to be fixed but a home to be cherished. It is not defined by anyone else’s standards or expectations – it is mine, and that alone is enough.”
She reveals this shift began with unlearning harmful beliefs she had absorbed over the years and choosing to see her body as a source of strength, creativity and life. “Instead of focusing on what I thought it lacked, I learned to appreciate all that it enables me to do.”
Liberation requires intentional daily inner work, like mindful practices, positive self-talk, setting healthy boundaries, self-reflection and having gratitude. “It’s always easier said than done, but that’s the thing – it can be done!”
This Freedom Month, Oyama wants to remind ClubXers that freedom starts from within. It’s not just about external constraints – it’s about liberating yourself from the limiting beliefs and societal expectations that hold you back.
“The freedom to love your body, to own your story and to embrace your uniqueness is one of the most powerful acts of resistance you can make in a world that constantly tells you to change, shrink or conform,” she exclaims.
“You are worthy, just as you are – there is no need to earn your freedom, your self-love or your place in this world. You were born to take up space, to exist fully and to live in alignment with your true self.”
She encourages everyone to start with small, intentional acts of self-love. Celebrate your body for all it does for you, honour your feelings and reject anything that diminishes your worth.
“Surround yourself with people who uplift you, seck out spaces that empower you, and always, always remember that you are enough. The journey might not always be easy, but every step you take towards loving yourself is a victory. You are not alone in this journey – together, we rise.”
@oyamabothaAlways joyful 🍒♬ iPlan – Dlala Thukzin
Quick Q&A
DOB: 28 October 1994
Years in the industry: 13
Favourite colour: Purple, and sometimes pink.
Style staples: You’ll never go wrong with good underwear and well-fitting jeans. And I do love an open-back number!
Body acceptance icon: In my humble opinion? Myself, ha-ha! I don’t look or behave like anyone else and that is my superpower…
Hobbies: Travelling, the #YammieExperience, shopping, dressing up and receiving running medals from races!
Favourite song: Anything by Manana, Lloyiso or Beyoncé.
Dream travel destination: Bora-Bora in the South Pacific. Japan is also on my bucket list.
Self-care ritual: Lots of spa dates and shopping!
One thing about the world you’d change: For everyone to be given R1 million to just live and experience life beyond the stress and suffering
By: Charndré Emma Kippie
Text courtesy of Club X magazine
Photography by: Zhann Solomons
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