A South African woman who was facing deportation from New Zealand after being judged as being “too fat to stay” has been granted leave to say in the country. This comes after Mondelea Bezuidenhout successfully appealed against the decision to reject her residency application on “health grounds.

Mondelea Bezuidenhout (35) and her husband, Donovan (34), sold everything they had in South Africa in 2018 so that they could emigrate to New Zealand with their kids, Donna (now 10) and Damien (now 4). They moved from Gqeberha after Donovan was offered a job as a high-voltage electrician

However, the family’s search for a better life was dealt a huge blow when they were denied residency permits.

Immigration officials determined that Mondelea’s body mass index (BMI) of 47.8 put her in a “severe-risk” category and deemed her “too fat to stay” in the country.

Doctors recommend most adults keep their BMI between 18 and 24.9. Adults with a BMI over 25 are considered overweight, while those with a BMI higher than 30.0 are considered obese.

The family appealed the decision. However, a Tribunal later affirmed this decision had been correct. After noting that there were exceptional circumstances, the tribunal granted a special exemption.

Those circumstances included a referral of good health by Mondelea’s doctor – supported by test results – her hard work in losing weight and the family’s contribution to New Zealand, among others.

After going on a strict diet and a physical exercise regimen, Mondolea lost weight and lowered her BMI by 10 points in 18 months.

Following the changes to her body, Associate Minister of Immigration Phil Twyford granted the Bezuidenhouts resident visas without conditions just before Christmas.

Mondelea said that she had been hurt and traumatized by the experience. Speaking to New Zealand publication, Stuff, the mom of two said

“I cried so much, I couldn’t stop for a while… I had to take breaks from reading the report just to take it all in.”

“I’m overwhelmed not just because of the decision, but because I felt really listened to and understood, finally… someone in the Government saw my side of the story, how hard I had worked, without even meeting me.

“I thought when we got residency we would have a big celebration with champagne… but I was silent for some time, I didn’t really talk to my friends. I just needed to take it all in.

“This process has been really hard, it’s taken a toll on us. What happened was hurtful… but after reading what they said, acknowledge all of my hard work, it was healing.”

She also thanked all the well-wishers who had donated to the crowdfunding the family launched to raise money for the appeal.

“From the bottom of all of our hearts, thank you and bless you.”