- Beauty queen earns the coveted Ms Lovely award
GOSEGO MOTSUMI
Returning from the global platform that was held in Incheon, South Korea Oampata Leroy-Mosepidi has brought pride from the Mrs Universe 2024 competition where she made the Top 25 and earned the coveted Ms Lovely award.
Oampata earned the award ahead of a bevy of beauties from around the world, each of them her nation’s most eminent woman in the magnificence stakes.
But beyond the glitz and the glamour of pageantry and the crown that comes with it, her journey was a celebration of her roots and a commitment to social impact.
Authenticity
For Oampata, the secret to standing out on a global stage was surprisingly simple: be yourself. “A person’s uniqueness and individuality is their superpower,” she told Time Out in an interview.
Embracing this philosophy, she brought her vibrant and outgoing personality to the forefront. Her warmth and enthusiasm became a beacon throughout the competition as she introduced fellow delegates to Botswana’s rich culture replete with spontaneous dance moves and lessons in mogolokwane (ululating).
“It is this authenticity that I believe earned me a spot in the Top 25,” Oampata mused.
Her approach demonstrated that true impact doesn’t always come from extravagant displays but from staying true to one’s identity and sharing it with the world.
Project Letsibogo
Beyond the pageantry, Oampata’s passion lies in making a difference through her Letsibogo Foundation and Project Letsibogo, which is a holistic mentorship initiative aimed at transforming the lives of children and youth affected by gender-based violence (GBV).
The project – which she championed during the Mrs Universe competition – goes beyond advocacy, providing education, leadership, and entrepreneurial tools to help young people rewrite their stories.
Oampata’s foundation has already seen tangible results, such as a scholarship programme that has given seven young Batswana an opportunity to resit their Form 5 exams towards securing a better future for themselves.
“We ensure that victims from my outreach programmes receive free counselling, therapy and temporary housing,” she explained, emphasising the importance of addressing both the emotional and physical needs of GBV survivors.
Over 1,200 students
In the past three months alone, Oampata and her team reached over 1,200 students, spreading awareness against GBV from primary schools onwards. She fully understands that empowerment requires more than education.
“Poverty often fuels this cycle of violence,” Oampata noted. With that in mind, her foundation provides families with essential food, clothing and other supplies, knowing that “you can’t inspire hope to someone with an empty stomach”.
The road to Mrs Universe was not without its hurdles. Reflecting on the experience, Oampata shared how she has a newfound level of resilience that she gained from being a contestant on the global level.
Pride and hope
“A lot of things didn’t go according to plan, so I had to improvise,” she said. Despite the mounting pressure, she held on, driven by her “why” and the support of her community.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder to anyone facing challenges: “Remember your why and the people who look up to you for hope and keep going,” she summed it up.
For Oampata, the sacrifices made in the pursuit of her dream became worth her while when she saw the pride and hope that her achievements brought back home.
As the dust settles on her Mrs Universe experience, Oampata has returned to Botswana with new lessons, friendships and a strengthened commitment to social change.
Grace and purpose
Her journey serves as an inspiration to many that true beauty lies not just in appearance but is also in the impact that one makes and the lives that one touches.
While Natalia Doroshko of Belarusia took home the Mrs Universe crown, Oampata’s journey and achievements have cemented her place as a champion in her own right.