Nina Hastie, Khanyi Mbau, Thick Leeyonce and more sizzle in the 2018 #MCNaked issue

This particular issue is dedicated to loving your body 

By  | Jun 22, 2020, 01:44 PM  | Nina Hastie  | Fashion

Nina Hastie, Khanyi Mbau, Thick Leeyonce and more sizzle in the 2018 #MCNaked issue

The annual Marie Claire naked issue is always a talking point for the nation, and this year will be no different, but, the publication decided to take all that focus and channel it towards something we need more of; body positivity. 

The aim of the campaign has always been to take people's interest in nudity and use it for a good cause but people still are not able to see past the nudity and their anger about it. 

“Although we live in a country enshrined by a liberal and progressive constitution, we are still a deeply conservative and patriarchal society. We can debate that too, but look at any of our major institutions: schools, universities, churches or parliament: we’re liberal, but only to a point. We are quick to police the naked body, and particularly women’s naked bodies,” explained Marie Claire about their 2017 issue which featured the likes of Nomzamo Mbatha, Thando Thabethe and Omuhle Gela. 

The theme of this year's campaign is #DearBody, and the ZAlebs featured in the photo spread have lead the charge in body positivity by writing personalized letters to their body, apologizing for the wrong they have done to their bodies in the past and promising to do better moving forward. 

Check out some of the notes published by the likes of Nina Hastie, Khanyi Mbau and Thick Leeyonce. 

#DearBody, You’ve been my shield and my protection since I was inside my mother’s womb. Our journey is not smooth, but it's beautiful. I now look at you in the mirror, even with your lumps and bumps, and think to myself - you are perfect just the way you are.....I’m learning to accept you. This year I was a part of Marie Claire's New Naked campaign, and I wrote this letter to my body. As women we are continuously critiquing ourselves... it’s difficult these days to be happy with what you have. This was definitely one of the scariest most empowering experiences of my life. This therapeutic process made me realize that there is so much to be grateful for when it comes to my body and that my journey with my body is a lifelong one which has taught me so much about being a woman and being proud and making positive and healthy changes if I want to. I am so grateful for this campaign and what it has taught me about living BOLDLY and I hope that my bravery and that of the other women will make you take time to reflect on your relationship with your body. Share your own letter starting with #DearBody, and tagging Marie Claire SA

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Main image credit: instagram.com/mbaureloaded