Newcastle beauty queen finalist champions women’s safety
Lesego uses her platform to advocate for women's safety.
Newcastle born Lesego Komoreng considers herself so much more than just a beauty queen.
At just 21-years-old, she is determined to use her platform to advocate for the rights of women who continue to live in fear as a result of gender-based violence (GBV).
Lesego is currently a finalist in the Miss KZN Queen Beauty Pageant.
She is currently taking a gap year, using this time to focus on personal growth, community involvement, and to prepare for the next chapter of her academic and professional journey.
Beyond being a Miss KZN Queen finalist, she believed she was a young woman who was passionate about serving others, empowering young people and making a positive difference in her community.
“I am someone who values faith, kindness, resilience and personal growth. Like many young women, I have faced challenges that have shaped me into the person I am today. The woman behind the sash is someone who believes that true beauty is reflected through compassion, purpose and the impact we leave on the lives of others,” she said.
Lesego said she had entered Miss KZN Queen because she wanted to challenge herself, grow as a leader and use her voice to advocate for causes that matter.
“I saw the pageant as an opportunity to inspire others while also developing myself.”
She said the journey had taught her that she was stronger than she often gave herself credit for.
It had also shown her the importance of confidence, discipline and believing in her purpose, even when things became difficult.
Lesego uses her voice to challenge gender-based violence
As a South African woman, she said it was heartbreaking to see how many women and girls continue to live in fear because of gender-based violence.
“The stories we hear almost daily remind us that this is not just a statistic; it affects families, communities and lives forever. Seeing the pain experienced by victims and their loved ones has made me realise that we cannot remain silent. Every woman deserves to feel safe, valued and protected,” she explained.
Lesego believed that having a public platform comes with a significant responsibility.
“It is not enough to simply be seen; we must use our visibility to educate, encourage and advocate for meaningful change.”
She also firmly believed everyone should help create spaces where women and girls feel heard, supported and empowered.
“Our voices should inspire action and remind people that every individual has a role to play in creating safer communities.”
She also feels that everyone needs to speak more openly about healthy relationships, respect, consent, accountability and mental well-being.
“Communities must stop treating violence as a private matter and instead recognise it as a societal issue that affects everyone. We also need conversations that encourage survivors to seek help without fear of judgement and that teach young people the importance of respect and equality from an early age,” she said.
In a perfect world, Lesego said she would like to see stronger support systems for survivors, educational programmes in schools, community mentorship initiatives and more safe spaces where young people can seek guidance.
She also believes families should encourage open communication, while communities should actively support organisations working to combat violence.
“Change happens when awareness is paired with action,” she said.
“I hope to use the platform to raise awareness, collaborate with organisations that support survivors, and create conversations that encourage prevention and healing.”
Going forward, her goal is to become more involved in community outreach programmes and educational initiatives that empower women and young girls while providing support to affected families.
She also believes self-care is just as important when advocating for difficult issues.
“I prioritise my mental, emotional and spiritual well-being by spending time with loved ones, praying, reflecting and allowing myself moments of rest. I have learned that in order to effectively support others, I must also take care of myself,” she said.
When asked what she would say to a young woman or girl who may be experiencing violence, feeling unheard or afraid to speak out, her reply was simple:
“I would tell her that she is not alone and what is happening to her is not acceptable. Her voice matters, her safety matters and her life matters. Reaching out for help is a sign of courage, not weakness. There are people and organisations ready to support her, and she deserves to live free from fear and harm.”
Lesego concluded by saying that she dreams of a South Africa where every woman and girl can walk freely without fear, pursue her dreams without limitations and feel valued, respected and protected.
“A country where communities stand together against violence and where every child grows up knowing that their safety and dignity matter. Real change begins when we all choose to be part of the solution.”
The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and follow us on our WhatsApp Channel
