Second time a charm for Modipane
Sharon Mathala | Monday March 30, 2026 09:44
“I tried in 2025 and only made Top 5. After that, I had to reflect on my journey and identify where I needed to improve,” she said.
The Tonota native shares she took time to work on herself, both in terms of pageantry and personal growth.
“This time, I was intentional. I worked on my walk, my confidence, and my overall preparation. I knew I had something to work on, and I took it seriously.”
Her return to the competition was anchored on clarity of purpose. She said going into this year’s pageant, she was convinced that she was ready.
“I believed this was my year. I had prepared myself mentally and physically for the competition.”
Despite that confidence, she admits the journey was not without challenges. Like many contestants, she faced moments of pressure and self-doubt in the lead-up to the finale.
“The lead-up can be overwhelming. There is a lot of pressure, and you start questioning yourself. There were moments where I felt like I was not performing well, and it weighed heavily on me. At some point, I even thought of giving up,” she shared.
However, she said persistence carried her through.
“I kept reminding myself why I started. Something in me kept pushing me to continue.”
Faith also played a significant role in her journey. Modipane revealed that at the beginning of the year, she wrote down a prayer outlining her goals. “On the day of the finale, I went back to that prayer and prayed again. It came to pass.”
“I really wanted to serve God and my people through this crown,” she said.
Away from the stage, Modipane describes herself as someone who comes from a close-knit family. She grew up with her parents and two siblings, an environment she says shaped her values. She lives by the mantra: “My love is stronger than their hate.”
According to her, the phrase is a reminder that positivity should always outweigh negativity.“It means that love will always be stronger than hate and negativity,” she said.
Central to her reign is her Beauty With a Purpose (BWP) project, Tlhokomelo, which focuses on neglected children. The project, themed “Embracing the Neglected Child,” seeks to advocate for children who are often overlooked and unsupported.
“At the core of it, I believe every child deserves to be seen, heard, and protected,” she said.
Through the initiative, Modipane aims to build a support system for vulnerable children, focusing on awareness, guidance, and life skills. She said the project is not just about advocacy, but about creating practical impact in communities.
“I want to ensure that these children are not forgotten and that they have access to opportunities that can change their lives.”
As she steps into her new role, Modipane is clear about the kind of leader she wants to be.
“A wholesome queen is someone who leads with purpose, humility, and integrity,” she said.
She added that leadership within the pageant space goes beyond appearance and requires commitment to meaningful causes.
“It is about using the platform to make a difference and to represent people well.”
With the crown comes public attention and scrutiny, something she says she is prepared for.
“I understand that there will be criticism, but I choose to focus on what I can learn. I take the positive and use it to improve myself, and I leave out what does not help me grow.”
Her approach, she said, is guided by clarity of purpose.
“I know what I want to achieve through this platform and I am focused on that.”
Modipane also hopes her journey will inspire others, particularly young women who aspire to enter pageantry. She encouraged them to remain true to themselves and to trust their journey.
“Give yourself grace, be authentic, and know that you are worthy and enough,” she said.
For Modipane, the Miss Botswana title marks the beginning of a new chapter rather than the end of a journey. She now carries the responsibility of representing the country and advancing causes that matter to her and the children.
5 quick questions:
1. What keeps you grounded? A. Purpose 2. Heels or sneakers? A. heels 3. Morning person or night owl? A. Both, depends on my mood, really, so I am a bit of both. 4. One word your friends would use to describe you? A. funny 5. Favorite Setswana dish? A. Bogobe jwa mabale, morogo wa dinama le beef stew