Animal lover, planet lover and plant lover, say hello to South Africa's vegan darling, Rati Lekalakala. As an advocate for sustainable and vegan living, Rati generously shares her experiences and insights to inspire others to live more consciously. All while balancing her career as a full time model and running her blog Keratilwe. This week it's with great pleasure that #OSKEasks... 

 

NAME: Rati Lekalakala
DAY JOB: Full-time Model & Influencer
SOCIALS: @ratilekalakala

 

WHAT’S THE CLOSEST THING TO REAL MAGIC
The closest thing to magic is when you come up for a breathe of air while you're swimming in the ocean during sunset. To me, there truly is nothing more magical than the ocean, sky and the sun. ♡

 

DESCRIBE YOUR GIRLBOSS MOMENT.
My girlboss moment was when I found out I booked my first solo campaign for YDE! I've worked immensely hard to land a solo campaign and seeing it in stores truly made me proud. 

HOW DID YOU LEARN WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A WOMAN?
I learnt what it means to be a woman when I stopped apologising and watering myself down just to please others. I have always been strong willed, determined and hard-working but often people are intimidated by woman like that. I am all woman, blunt, bold, comfortable in my body and I will not, neither should any woman change that. ♡♡♡

 

WHO TAUGHT YOU WHAT LOVE IS? 
My parents taught me what love is, by fearlessly protecting me, looking out for my best interests and by making "home" feel like a person... feel like them. My dog Scamp also taught me what love is and how to give love... he is truly my everything and I would give him the world. 

WHAT IS INTIMACY?
To me, intimacy is care and self-love combined. Intimacy is when you allow yourself to be completely vulnerable and give your body a deeper sense of love, it doesn't have to involve anyone and it can too... intimacy is simply like combustion... the combustion of stars in the sky. 

 

WHAT DID YOUR MOTHER TEACH YOU?
My mother taught me to always be kind, selfless and to do everything with love. I am so blessed to have been raised by such a strong and hardworking woman. I will forever cherish her and her teachings. 

 

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR BODY THAT YOU WISH YOU’D ALWAYS KNOWN?
I wish I'd always known how important it is to fully love my body. Bodies are forever changing and they vary from person to person. Four years ago I found out that I had endometriosis and I thought there was something wrong with me and I was in distress. When I embraced it and accepted that about me, it no longer bothered me and although I have it, I love myself the same way. 

ULTIMATE MAKE-OUT PLAYLIST
Title: Combustion time

WHO SHOULD EVERYONE BE FOLLOWING RIGHT NOW?
Everyone should follow @seb.alex, he is a brave soul who tirelessly fights for the liberation of animals and he's dedicated his life to it. If everyone were to be a little bit more like him, we would live in such a beautiful world... he is a light in this world ♡♡♡    

 

Thank you Rati for sharing your thoughts and feelings with the OSKE community. If you'd like to learn more about this babe's vegan and sustainable lifestyle follow her on Instagram or stay tune to her blog, Keratilwe. 

 

Subscribe below and be sure not to miss the next OSKE Asks, hint: we're bringing you our body positivity (s)hero!