02 Oct 2015

After a year of absence, the Botswana Council of Women (BCW) managed to redeem itself by staging a glittering black tie event at the Grand Palm on Independence eve.

Light skinned and blonde haired 19-year-old Seneo Mabengano snatched the title from 16 young hopefuls. 

Dressed in a glittering royal gold Tebby D design which was predominantly made up of lace mixed with soft rust chiffon and satin fabrics, she shinned through to win the crown which was in 2013 won by Rosemary Keofitlhetse.

Responding to a deciding question posed by BCW legal advisor, Kgosietsile Ngacagae, who was also a judge at the event, what she thought of the age of sexual consent of 16 years, if it should be reduced or increased, Mabengano said the age should be reviewed upwards. 

During a press conference she expressed optimism that her project, ‘They need us,’ would reach out to abandoned children.

University of Botswana law student, Peggy Cynberg was crowned first princess and was also awarded the top model among the top 16 ladies. 

Her question came from a renowned makeup artist, Tlhomamo who was a judge and wanted to know the philosophy or value that she held. 

She responded by saying being selfless was the value that she held in high regard for it empowered other people.

Coffee coloured Cynberg plans to use her platform and skills to realise her project, ‘Youth against social ills’ which she said will empower young people to refrain from criminal activities and substance abuse.

Dressed in an evening gown decorated with beads and signed by Botswana’s export designers, Black Trash with their curly like finish on fabric ends, she exuded confidence on the ramp from her modeling experience which won her the judge’s eyes.

Crowned third princess was 25-year-old Nicole Gaelebale who was also awarded Ms congeniality amongst the 16 ladies.

Wearing a Lame Chilume designer gown under the label Switch and strikingly glittering long earrings, Gaelebale confidently answered Boitshwarelo Lebang’s question on the essence of a women. Her response was that a woman of essence stands for her values and believes in empowering other women. 

Gaelebale has won other beauty pageant titles before, she won the Miss Earth Botswana title and represented the country abroad.

Young ladies who managed to make it to the top five were Tloto Patlakwe and Gorata Samuel.

Contrary to the norm, the three Miss Botswana beauty queens were crowned by Miss Botswana 1995, Monica Somolekae who according to the Miss Botswana media director, Tshepo Maphanyane was selected on account of her credibility. 

“There was relevance to have her crown the queens, Mma Somolekae upholds the mandate and values of BCW, she is a living example of a beauty queen who is also successful in the corporate world, she also upholds BCW values,” she said.

During the press briefing which was held immediately after the crowning, Maphanyane said she could not address controversies surrounding what happened with the outgoing Miss Botswana, Rosemary Keofitlhetse.

 “This is a whole new show, we were doing things differently, winners will be given their prizes on the 9^th of October,” she said. Ends