Dwarfs meet at festival in South African town
Posted September 13, 2017 7:00 am
MODIMOLLE, South Africa (AP) - A recent South African festival for people with dwarfism featured dancing, a tug-of-war contest, stand-up comedy, talks on health issues facing dwarves and a Mr. and Ms. Dwarf competition.
The event this past weekend in Modimolle town in Limpopo province drew dwarfs from around the country and was an opportunity to share experiences, and discuss challenges and ways to overcome them.
Bernadine Coetzee, 19, won the Ms. Dwarf competition and hopes to be a clothes designer after finishing school at the end of 2018.
Festival organizer Marinda Calitz, who is married to a dwarf, says there is a widespread view that small people can only find work in a circus. She says, however, that people with dwarfism work as dentists, bank managers and truck drivers.
"Don't judge them," Calitz says.
Heinrich Botha takes part in a Mr. Dwarf competition during a weekend dwarf festival in Modimolle, South Africa, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. The event this past weekend drew dwarves from around the country and was an opportunity to share experiences, and discuss challenges and ways to overcome them. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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The audience participate in a Mr. and Ms. Dwarf competition during a weekend dwarf festival in Modimolle, South Africa, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. The event this past weekend drew dwarves from around the country and was an opportunity to share experiences, and discuss challenges and ways to overcome them. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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Winners of a Ms. Dwarf competition Naline Kruger, first princess, right, and winner Bernadine Coetzer, during a weekend dwarf festival in Modimolle, South Africa, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. The event this past weekend drew dwarves from around the country and was an opportunity to share experiences, and discuss challenges and ways to overcome them. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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Winners of a Mr. and Ms. Dwarf competition, Adriaan Coetzee, right, Naline Kruger, first princess, center and Bernadine Coetze, left, during a weekend dwarf festival in Modimolle, South Africa, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. The event this past weekend drew dwarves from around the country and was an opportunity to share experiences, and discuss challenges and ways to overcome them. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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Family members attend a Mr. and Ms. Dwarf competition, during a weekend dwarf festival in Modimolle, South Africa, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. The event this past weekend drew dwarves from around the country and was an opportunity to share experiences, and discuss challenges and ways to overcome them. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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Winner of a Mr. Dwarf competition, Adriaan Coetzee, plays in a plastic air bubble during a weekend dwarf festival in Modimolle, South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. The event this past weekend drew dwarves from around the country and was an opportunity to share experiences, and discuss challenges and ways to overcome them. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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People relax in a pool at the Weesgerus holiday resort during a weekend dwarf festival in Modimolle, South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. The event this past weekend drew dwarves from around the country and was an opportunity to share experiences, and discuss challenges and ways to overcome them. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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People relax in a pool at the Weesgerus holiday resort during a weekend dwarf festival in Modimolle, South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. The event this past weekend drew dwarves from around the country and was an opportunity to share experiences, and discuss challenges and ways to overcome them. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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First princess of a Ms. Dwarf competition Naline Kruger greets people in a pool at the Weesgerus holiday resort during a weekend dwarf festival in Modimolle, South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. The event this past weekend drew dwarves from around the country and was an opportunity to share experiences, and discuss challenges and ways to overcome them. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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