Miss Universe Botswana
Source : Kutlwano
Author : Idah Basimane
Location : Gaborone
Event : Interview
Her excellent communication skills, her poise, elegance and walking whimsically with grace, her maintenance of good posture, confidence in every step she takes and boisterous propitious personality are some of the qualities that contributed to her landing the Miss Universe Botswana title.
Now as the reigning queen, her responsibilities include acting as an ambassador for her country, engaging in public speaking, performing charity work and serving as a positive role model to many.
When asked a question by the pageant judges; “How do you think Botswana can use its special economic zones to diversify the economy beyond mining and create jobs particularly for the youth?” her response left them in awe.
Her answer was: “Botswana’s reliance on economic sector, has left others as untapped market. Investing in Agriculture through innovation practices such as irrigation technology and agro-processing will promote food security, self-sufficiency reduce food imports and promote sustainable economic growth.”
She continued to say “therefore it is essential that Botswana also moves from a natural based resource economy to a knowledge based economy by investing in brilliance of the minds of its people to promote innovation, skills development, research and technology.”
A geologist by profession, Lillian Nompumelelo Andries participated at Miss Grand Botswana in 2014, where she snatched position one and left the country to represent Botswana in Thailand.
So going to Thailand for the Miss Universe will not be her first time to carry her country’s flag abroad.
The top 10 women that she spent time with in Miss Universe Botswana has taught her the power of authenticity.
She singled out the power to know who you are, embracing who you are because everyone is created with a different purpose; as such she believes she does not have to devalue herself based on the next person.
The 30-year-old beauty from Ramotswa was crowned on August 30, beating other 10 contestants from various areas in the country.
Her first and second Princes are 25-year-old Dabilo Moses from Maitengwe and 30-year-old Wangu Modise of Sebina respectively. Her story began in the heart of Ramotswa, a village led by a female, Kgosi Mosadi Seboko, who has set the tone for women in leadership.
Born to a Molete father and a Zulu mother, hence the name Nompumelelo meaning (The mother of success,) she perceives her Zulu name is a prophecy she lives to see every single day of her life.
She is the fourth born child, with three elder siblings who stay in South Africa and a young brother who lives in Botswana.
Lillian describes herself as a woman confidently beautiful with the heart to serve humanity and shines her light to embrace other people.
A philanthropist at heart, she is the co-founder of Courage at Unleashed and has worked with Moabi charity organisation.
Pageantry has always been her childhood dream; she sees it as a platform that will allow her to give back to the community.
“I knew at one point that I will represent Botswana in the outside world,” she says with pride.
After that, she took a 10-year break due to life challenges. She thereafter came back and fortunately, Miss Universe Botswana has lifted its restriction including the age limit.
She says that going back to pageantry space has given her the opportunity to give back to the community, a platform she treasures most.
No wonder she describes Miss Universe Botswana as a platform, a vehicle meant to help women give back to the community,.
“It’s beyond beauty. It’s about women being empowered to empower communities and their different space. Not only Miss Universe Botswana but other pageantries are meant to help women discover themselves and their purpose in life,” she emphasises.
Her advice to women who aspire to join the pageantry is that, every dream comes with challenges and every great vision will be challenged.
She urges them to find sponsors, because the space is financially challenging.
“Have faith and reach out to different organisations and people. This is to say beyond beauty, crown and heels we wear, pageantry is work, ladies need to understand their why? Because that will keep one going,” she notes. Further, she says pageantry helps to build resilience and requires a person who is ready not to yield to the pressures of life.
The decline in diamond sales requires that citizens package Botswana in a way that will bring investors to invest in other sectors.
It is on this note that Lillian vows to sell Botswana in a way that will lure investors and she will further use the platform to sell Botswana’s tourism sector.
“I have learned from other contestants the level of wisdom, the power of sisterhood, it’s a competition, but at the end of the day, we build long lasting relationships. Secondly we have different strengths, weaknesses and social approaches as I have also learned walking and speaking from some, she explains.
Lillian says Miss Universe Botswana contributes to the achievement of Vision 2036 pillar of social development because of the inclusiveness of women from different spaces in Botswana.
She says the platform also helps women to help the community dream beyond their talent and that they can pursue different skills to contribute to Botswana growth. ENDS
Teaser:
“Have faith and reach out to different organisations and people. This is to say beyond beauty, crown and heels we wear, pageantry is work, ladies need to understand their why! Because that will keep one going,”
