02 Jun 2024

Oampata Leroy-Mosepidi’s impressive response to a question seeking to establish measures that married couples should employ to maintain peace when parenting a stepchild from either side has earned her this year’s MRS Botswana crown.

“When two people are joined in holy matrimony, they have to bear in mind that they should accept everything the other partner brings forth. Find amicable ways to raise the child with love and usher out the best care that will give the stepchild a sense of belonging,” was Leroy-Mosepidi’s answer to the judges who were impressed and ultimately crowned her queen in Gaborone on Saturday.

Gosego Jameson and Keitumetse Molefe emerged first and second princesses respectively in a competition that featured eight married women.

Leroy-Mosepidi proved that she had what it takes to make a cut in the pageantry circles, not only with her beauty but also her intellect.

Adding to her expressive response was her costume which the audience marveled at. It included a dress made from leather and covered in strings made from beans and a headgear made from cow horns.

“This is a reminder that agriculture has always been the back bone of communities from time immemorial, and there is still more to be gained from the practice,” she said in an interview.

She therefore, encouraged other women to consider taking advantage of the newly introduced programmes such as Thuo Letlotlo and Temo Letlotlo to reap the best from them.

Leroy-Mosepidi said she had embarked on a holistic Gender-Based Violence project dubbed Letsibogo, through which she intends to give hope to some of the youth who grew up in compromised circumstances.

“Letsibogo simply means a shallow path in a stream that allows people to cross to the other side. The project is therefore, a holistic approach that emphasises on education, entrepreneurship and leadership,” she said.

Leroy-Mosepidi further received prizes for the best dressed, best national costume and best personality.

For her part, MRS Botswana brand founder and director, Kgalalelo Lesetedi said the pageant is intended to advocate for healthy family relations, child protection and also give married women opportunity to shine and excel despite the challenges they encountered as wives and mothers. ENDs