Gogo Maweni says her widely discussed weight-loss journey has been driven less by appearance and more by self-respect, consistency and a renewed commitment to her wellbeing.
Key takeaways
- The traditional healer replaced short-term dieting with lasting lifestyle changes.
- She says caring for herself helps her remain present for her children, businesses and spiritual work.
- Maweni refuses to measure her confidence by clothing size or public opinion.
- She believes women should be allowed to change without having every step publicly scrutinised.
A sustainable approach to wellness
Maweni is unfazed by questions about her body, discussions about discipline or the idea that putting herself first could be viewed as selfish. In her view, making space for herself is not indulgent but essential.
Speaking about the transformation that has attracted considerable public attention, she emphasised that much of the work happened quietly and consistently. A major turning point came when she changed the way she thought about weight loss. Rather than pursuing a specific figure on the scale or trying to match a particular look, she concentrated on creating healthier routines she could maintain.
She said she became more attentive to her body’s needs, made deliberate decisions and learned that a difficult day did not cancel out the progress she had already made.
Instead of treating the process as a temporary programme, Maweni began viewing it as a long-term investment in herself.
Why self-care matters to her
Managing life as a mother, entrepreneur and traditional healer has also taught Maweni more about balance. She acknowledged that she is still working out how to manage the demands of each role, noting that every part of her life requires a different version of her.
One of her clearest lessons has been that she cannot keep giving to others when she has nothing left for herself. Her children need her to be healthy and emotionally present, while her companies require a concentrated and capable leader. Her spiritual calling, meanwhile, depends on her remaining grounded and connected.
For Maweni, all of those responsibilities start with personal care. Sometimes that means declining requests, taking time to recover or distancing herself from outside distractions. She no longer regards self-care as separate from her duties; she sees it as the foundation that allows her to fulfil them properly.
Addressing the online scrutiny surrounding her appearance, Maweni said women are judged regardless of what their bodies do. Weight gain attracts commentary, weight loss brings another round of opinions and even remaining unchanged does not prevent people from finding something to criticise. Her response has been to choose her own path rather than live by those reactions.
Although seeing physical progress gave her a fresh sense of confidence, she said the most meaningful change took place within. Keeping a promise to herself and recognising that she was following through created a deeper form of self-belief.
Maweni also rejected the idea that her body should be discussed through shame. It has carried her through motherhood, entrepreneurship, spiritual development, difficult seasons and many other stages of her life.
As a result, she said her confidence is no longer tied to reaching a certain size. It now comes from feeling closer to herself, taking responsibility for her health and understanding that the journey is personal.
Her message to women is that they should be free to grow and change without having every phase examined by the public.
Elsewhere in the entertainment spotlight, Miss Cosmo SA 2026 Ayanda G. Thabethe has taken the South African flag to Vietnam while carrying her own dream onto the international stage.
