Mpho Mogotsi - MRS UNIVERSE AFRICA 2022, LIFE COACH, ENTREPRENUER, AWARD WINNING AUTHOR & PHILANTHROPIST, BOARD MEMBER OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL, CHAIRPERSON OF BRICS WOMEN BUSINESS ALLIANCE, HUMANITARIAN, TV HOST, INTERNATIONAL MODEL, & BRAND AMBASSADOR

October 01, 2024

Mpho Mogotsi - MRS UNIVERSE AFRICA 2022, LIFE COACH, ENTREPRENUER, AWARD WINNING AUTHOR & PHILANTHROPIST, BOARD MEMBER OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL, CHAIRPERSON OF BRICS WOMEN BUSINESS ALLIANCE, HUMANITARIAN, TV HOST, INTERNATIONAL MODEL, & BRAND AMBASSADOR

Mpho Mogotsi holds the title of Mrs Universe Africa '22. She is an Entrepreneur, Life Coach, TV Host, Award Winning Author & Philanthropist, Gender-based Violence Activist, Visionary, Thought Leader and Humanitarian. She had the honour of representing Africa at the 45th Mrs Universe International pageant, were she won Mrs Top Africa out of 100 women from across the world who participated. She is also a Board Member of Rotary International New Dawn were she heads up the Youth Portfolio and she is THE chairperson of BRICS Women Business Alliance SA spearheading the Creative Industry Sector among the BRICS member states.

She has over 21 years of Corporate & Investment Banking experience and has been a strong advocate for Women Empowerment in Corporate SA. She worked at FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank and RMB as a Corporate & Investment Banker, Deal Maker, Account Manager and Business Manager.

Mpho is the CEO of Heal Vibration (PTY) LTD were she offers 1-on-1 coaching sessions, group coaching, workshops, masterclasses and retreats. She provides coaching services to different companies such as ABSA, Sculpt Aesthetics, New Romantics, Acumen Soft and various GBV Safe Houses . She is the CEO of Miss BRICS Universe and President of Miss BRICS Universe International Pageant where she empowers and uplifts women and girls in SA and across the world to become thriving entrepreneurs. Mpho is also the Managing Director of Mzanzi Fashion Week and BRICS Africa Fashion Week were she provides an empowerment platform for upcoming designer and models to showcase their talent and skills locally and internationally.

She is the Founder & CEO of Heal The World Foundation; a non-profit-organisation (NPO) that focuses on healing social ills, injustice and inequalities by transforming the lives of members of underprivileged communities through addressing Gender-based Violence, Gender Equality disparity and poor standards of Education in order to empower, elevate and enlighten humanity.

As a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Activist, Mpho advocates for equal rights and safe protection of women and children. Her book, ‘Awakening to Truth’ is a memoire of her mission and purpose, were she expresses how she overcame body shaming, domestic violence and sexual harassment, coupled with near-death experiences. This proves that purpose is greater than misfortune and that you can turn pain into power.

Mpho is a Talk-show Host on DSTV channel 251, Soweto TV of a show called "Come Alive with Mpho Mogotsi" - the show that inspire you to "live your best life." She has been featured on MetroFM “Still I Rise” Midday Link Up with Lerato Kganyago and Proverb, Power FM Breakfast show for the #987Woman Campaign, Daily Theta TV show on SABC 1, Newz Room Afrika, YFM Nightcap, Kaya FM Mo & Phindi show, Unleashing Your Potential show on Soweto TV as well as ABSA Banking on Woman platform; she is the cover girl for Lauriam Magazine July 2021 and Sista Bosso Magazine August 2022, PPC Magazine August 2023 and Glamour Magazine Oct/Nov 2023; her articles have also been featured in the Sowetan, Daily Sun newspapers and various other publications

Mpho holds a BCom Business Management degree as well as NLP (Neuro Linguistic Practitioner) Master Life Coach qualifications. She is a wife and a mother to 3 amazing children.

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

1. Mrs. Universe Africa 2022

Winning Mrs. Universe Africa 2022 and representing the continent internationally is a huge accomplishment. What does this title mean to you, and how has it shaped your role as a leader and activist?

Winning Mrs. Universe Africa 2022 was a childhood dream come true. As a 12-year-old, I dreamt of representing my country internationally, but at that time, I didn’t know what activity would enable me to do so on an international stage. At the age of 44, I won a competition that allowed me not only to represent my country but also the entire continent of Africa, and I couldn’t have been more excited.

The Mrs. Universe Africa pageant has been a journey of self-discovery and self-mastery, enabling me to sharpen my leadership skills and focus on the things that ignite my passion. As an activist, I’ve been able to be a voice for the voiceless and give hope to the hopeless through my book, Awakening to Truth, and the businesses I’ve established to serve humanity.

2. Corporate to Coaching

With over 21 years of experience in corporate and investment banking, how did your transition from the corporate world to life coaching and entrepreneurship come about, and what inspired you to make that leap?

As a young woman, I enjoyed climbing the corporate ladder, traveling the world, and chasing big deals that contributed to my employers’ “bottom line.” However, as I grew older, I started yearning for a more purpose-driven role.

Over the years, my soul kept telling me, “You didn’t come here for the bottom line.” After some soul-searching, I found my true calling. I’ve always loved working with people and helping them become the best version of themselves, so I studied and became a Master Life Coach. To me, this isn’t just a job—I love waking up every day to “serve humanity,” and all my businesses revolve around that mission.

3. Empowering Women through BRICS

As the chairperson of the BRICS Women Business Alliance SA, how do you use your platform to empower women entrepreneurs across BRICS member states, especially in the creative industries?

Two years ago, I wanted to join BRICS but wasn’t sure in what capacity. I saw BRICS as a force for positive change that could economically liberate South Africa. Since I’m a leader who wants to uplift humanity, I realized that by joining BRICS, I could have a greater impact on economic liberation and humanity's well-being.

In 2025, we’ll be running a BRICS Creative Industries TV Contest, an annual event that celebrates and unites the rich, diverse culture and artistic talents of women within Africa and BRICS+ nations.

This contest will foster economic growth, deepen cooperation, and promote entrepreneurship in the creative industries, providing an enriching global experience—especially within Africa—through a talent search competition that combines beauty, fashion, and pageantry with music and dance.

The contest will serve as a platform for emerging fashion designers, pageantry models, musicians, dancers, makeup artists, nail technicians, hairdressers, and craft jewelry designers to showcase their unique talents on the international stage.

The event is a transformative platform designed to educate, empower, and uplift a new generation of creative women entrepreneurs across African countries and BRICS+ member states.

4. Gender-Based Violence Activism

Your advocacy work for Gender-Based Violence is deeply inspiring. What inspired you to become a GBV activist, and what specific impact do you hope to make through your foundation, Heal The World?

At some point in my life, I was affected by GBV, and I chose to be a victor instead of a victim. I became an activist because I know firsthand what it feels like to be abused. I wrote a book called Awakening to Truth, a memoir about my experiences with domestic violence, sexual harassment in the workplace, and body shaming. I wrote it to help others facing similar traumas—helping them navigate life and learn from my journey, turning pain into power rather than becoming victims of their circumstances.

Through the Heal The World Foundation, I work with organizations like POWA and Ikhaya Lethemba to empower women and children on how to reclaim their power and move from being victims to victors.

5. Author and Storyteller

In your book Awakening to Truth, you share powerful experiences of overcoming adversity. What message do you hope readers take away from your personal story, and how do you view the role of storytelling in healing?

Writing Awakening to Truth was as much a healing experience for me as it is for the readers. I truly believe that vulnerability and openness in storytelling allow others to tear down the walls they’ve built around themselves and open up to their truth, which leads to deeper healing—even healing generational traumas.

I view vulnerability as a strength, not a weakness, because it brings authenticity, trust, and inner strength. When we move from being victims to becoming victors, we break free from the chains that keep us stuck and rise above circumstances meant to break us. With wisdom and understanding, we can co-create our lives and turn pain into power.

6. Fashion and Empowerment

As Managing Director of Mzanzi Fashion Week and BRICS Africa Fashion Week, how do you envision fashion as a tool for empowerment, particularly for young designers and models seeking global opportunities?

Fashion is an everyday need—you don’t leave your house without thinking about it, and that makes it an essential part of life.

Africa has immense talent and rich cultural diversity, but unfortunately, this hasn’t translated into economic growth for many artists and designers. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to “take Africa to the world.” When we grow our export market and produce our own fabrics locally, we’ll see growth in the textile industry, which has been dormant for years.

Mzanzi Fashion Week is an empowerment platform that provides upcoming fashion designers and models from underprivileged areas in South Africa the opportunity to showcase their raw talent. We offer them skills development and business education, helping them grow their businesses and contribute to the township economy.

BRICS Africa Fashion Week takes “Africa to the World,” giving South African designers and models international exposure to showcase on global platforms. Recently, South African designers like New Romantics, Flavours Boutique, Gaseru Designs, and Hola Mshimane showcased at the Skolkovo Women’s Forum in Moscow, Russia. In October, BRICS Africa Fashion Week will showcase Mantsho by Palesa Mokubung at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Russia.

7. Looking to the Future

As you continue to make an impact in various fields, what are some of your future goals, both personally and professionally? How do you envision expanding your work in empowering women and addressing social issues like Gender-Based Violence on a global scale?

My future goals are to continue building and expanding the vision of my purpose in life. I’m grateful to be able to do what I’m passionate about, and this has led to amazing experiences I wouldn’t trade for anything.

The Africa Business Institute Academy is my newest venture, established to elevate the standards of education in our country by combining skills development with business and entrepreneurship training.

It’s been proven that the number one reason women stay in abusive relationships is financial dependence on their abuser. Through the Africa Business Institute Academy, I aim to empower more women to achieve economic independence, allowing them to leave abusive situations with the confidence that they can provide for themselves and their children.

In November, more African designers will showcase in Dubai under the BRICS Africa Fashion Week platform, and we’re excited that in 2025, Brazil will host the BRICS Summit, where more African women designers will have the opportunity to showcase their work.