Volume 54 Issue 6- June 2016 : Art & Culture

As part of embracing the forth coming celebrations of Botswana 50 years of independence in just four months to come, Kutlwano Reporter Gomolemo Gaedupi  sat  with former Miss Botswana queens for past moment reflections and the way to forward.I was born and raised in Serowe and I was crowned to be Miss Botswana in 1982, but before that I never thought I could be involved in beauty pageants.

Peggy Leburu (Miss Botswana 1982)

I started appreciating beauty queens, at a tender age. I did watch the pageants but never thought of participating. I found myself participating in school pageants at Junior school because I was told to just fill in the number of those participating, which made me develop an interest in competing for the Miss Botswana crown.

During our time no auditions were done, rather the competitions were performed through regions. I started as Miss Gaborone, obtained position 3 then later I got position 3 again for Miss South East that is when at finals I managed to be crowned as Miss Botswana.

Unlike in the new era where pageants can get fancy prizes, I was awarded with a bed spread  and a cash prize  of P375, first princess was appreciated with P175 and the second was given P100.

I was not involved in any projects or activities to perform in the society unless once in a while when I was called to perform a particular task at BCW organization (Botswana Council Women).

In the past there was no grooming at all, where pageants will be taught how to behave ,how to handle themselves in the public, no make ups, pedicure and manicures unlike now whereby all participants enjoy all the above.

In the old days there wasn`t any firms volunteering to sponsor those participating, it was everyone for himself, thus only swim wears with Botswana flag colors were provided to the queens

Given every opportunity to participate, queens should be indulged in projects that the nation will recognize, so that the community will vise in and help thus even if one is not crowned Miss World still the project will scoop a prize.

In Botswana when one is crowned as Miss Botswana the vibe just reign for some moment then that`s all. The queen must be seen all over so often, be it in the media or be it the interaction with the public.

The queen must be able to fit in all age groups, kids, youths, elders, single mothers, just everyone in the community. This will enable her to adapt to any situation of life, thus will keep her open minded as going all through all stages of her life.

Someiyah Marope (Miss Botswana 2009)

I was crowned Miss Botswana in 2009. Before then  I was more into modelling and as time went on I developed an interest in beauty queen pageants that is when I participated in Miss European Union/Miss culture and heritage. I managed to bring something home as I scooped Miss Africa crown.

I entered the Miss Botswana contest in 2009 after one of my uncles pestered me. I managed to scoop the crown and I was deemed with Mercedes Benz C200 .I then went to compete in the  Miss World pageant, which was held in  at South Africa. 

Representing Botswana made appreciate other countries` cultures and made me experience how it is like to be an ambassador.

During my moments, there were not much organizations to sponsor me with wardrobe, facial makeups and manicures. Only All Kasi Company provided t- shirts to wear.

I was involved in some projects, I was working with Mokolodi Nature Reserve on a project to raise awareness on conservation of nature. I was involved in a Child line organization project  to raise funds for the organization and to spend time with kids at the centre make them feel loved and appreciated.

I can not really note anything now because us former Miss Botswana queens just had a talk with Minister of Youth Sports and culture, Thapelo Olopeng so to arrange a meeting to discuss what to do forward to improve our beauty contest and I hope meeting with all former Miss Botswana queens will make a huge contribution to the development of the pageant in future.

Beauty Matale (Miss Botswana 1971)

Before being crowned Miss Botswana I first participated in pageants under certain teams. I once participated in a pageant organized by a certain football team called Scarras, where i got second position, I then participated in Miss ball room dance pageant where I also got position 2, that is when I developed an interest to participate in the Miss Botswana pageant.

After I was crowned Miss Botswana I was given some drinking glasses, two blankets and roses as an appreciation. During our times, being the queen was what we valued, we were not really into the gifts that come with the crown.

 I was not involved in any project, after I was crowned Miss Botswana, I was not doing a specific project, rather I used to attend parties held at the state house and I felt honoured by attending those parties. Also I used to gather around with ladies at BCW association (Botswana Council Women), this is where I learn how to cook including baking.

During our days participants bought clothes from stores like Woolworths and by that time there were less designers to rely on. We did not rely in facial make ups and fancy hairstyles rather natural beauty was the priority.

Those crowned as Miss Botswana should be valued enough to an extent of the government providing them with a place to stay where everyone will find it easy to locate them anytime. ENDS

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