In pictures: The modern-day beauty contest

In traditional township pageants, an ideal of beauty is celebrated that is opposite to the ideal of a slim blonde. Pindi Ingrid Meliffa is Miss Fats South Africa. She says Fats stands for "fabulous, attractive, tantalising and sexy".

Despite this, there is evidence that South African women increasingly strive to meet Western standards of beauty. Eating disorders are on the rise.

The entertainment industry "still demands a physical aesthetic which is thin and fine-boned", says Gail Smith, a feminist and former model.