22 Jul 2015

The founder and president of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology has offered Miss Botswana organisers an opportunity to send a two-person team on a benchmarking trip to Malaysia.

Limkokwing regional director - corporate and media relations, Mercy Thebe, stated that given Malaysia’s success in pageants, Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato Paduka Dr. Limkokwing, saw it fit to support Botswana organisers. 

Thebe said the offer was valid between now and December. She said the duo would learn from their Malaysian counterparts ahead of Miss World pageant. 

She said they were committed to supporting the Miss Botswana licence holder, the Botswana Council of Women (BCW), and to play a part in helping the queen with her project to ensure that Botswana fares well at the global spectacle. 

Thebe said they were interested in empowering the youth to take advantage of new global opportunities.

The pageant bounces back after a year of no show. This year, the pageant is organised by BCW. Hopefully, Dr Limkokwing’s gesture would end the title drought the country endured for years. The last time Botswana had something to celebrate was when Emma Wareus was crowned the first princess during the Miss World 2010 edition. 

The pageant’s media relations director, Tshepo Maphanyane, said they were delighted to have partners such as Limkokwing, who had shown interest in enhancing image of the pageant. Maphanyane said they wanted the pageant’s credibility to be restored so that it could attract sponsors and also empower the girl-child.

She said they wanted to depart from the tradition of giving the queen a car, but would offer her an education opportunity instead. 

The first auditions for the Miss Botswana pageant were held in Francistown last week while the Gaborone edition is scheduled for the Grand Palm this coming weekend. The Miss Botswana wannabes should be 1.67m tall and be aged between 18-25 years. The auditions kick off at 8am and end at 5:30pm on Saturday and Sunday.  Ends