15 Feb 2016

 Boitumelo Matsake 43 of Mogoditshane is Miss Millennium 2016. Matsake snatched the crown beating 13 other contestant in a well-attended glittering pageant at the Millennium Jazz Restaurant in Mogoditshane on Saturday.  

The competition is one of the most publicized beauty contests and an annual local event run by Zen Promotions Company.

Matsake was found to be attractive, optimistic and assertive by the judges when answering questions. 

During the parade all other women exhibited professions they perceive as crucial in society. She posed as a judge supporting and calling upon women to venture into the judiciary carreer to advocate against the abuse of women. She encourages women who made it to the top four not to lose heart but to keep the positive spirit because they are winners too.

She said she has identified a group of orphaned and HIV/AIDS affected children whom she wants to work with in Mogoditshane. 

It was however not specific as what Matsake and her princesses have won since the organisers said prizes will be categorised in due course. She was crowned by 2015 Miss Millennium Sandra Ramanteba 41 of Kgagodi.  53 year old eye-catching and glamorous Charity Ntebang from Mahalapye walked away with the tittle of first princes while a woman who was described as a stunning woman of substance and flawless by the master of ceremony, Cathrine Seipato 40 of Mmadinare became the third princess. 

Dino Baphaleng 42, snatched Miss Personality 2016. She was praised for a job well done of time keeping during the rehearsals.

Miss Millennium is a charitable project, according Zenzel Hirsfeld which began in 2008 with the aim to assist various groups in the community where possible. It does not look at culture but helps women to make their projects also. 

We want to register it as a society, then take it to other communities as it grows,” said Hirsfeld. 

‘’After we have had 10 winners we will make the best of the best,’’ she said noting that this year’s contestants came from as far as Tonota, Serowe, Mahalapye, Mmadinare and other villages. 

Hirchfield said they were supported with funds and other amenities by Distell Botswana, Millennium Jazz Restaurant, Hamptons Promoters, Faciality Beauty Spar, House of Kay, House of Shati Loo, Planet Lodge, and Zen Promotions.

Meanwhile Felicity Bogacu, one of the founders and winner of Miss Millenium in 2008 said Miss Millennium is actually in line with Vision 2016 pillar three of a Compassionate, Just and Caring Nation.

“I am happy to say that we are just about to realise the vision because some have projects that we are doing. I have adopted a family at Moshaneng and have so far built a toilet at and connected a stand pipe for them.  So we see Miss Millennium growing and more women getting interested’’, she said. 

However a moment of silence was observed in the memory of Dolly Pule, who was described as an aspiring and tolerant contestant who passed way last year leaving six children behind. The pageant donated food and clothing to the Pule family.

Women in Business Association deputy president Nametso Ntsosa –Carr said she was impressed by the Miss Millennium pageant because behind beauty contests they had a mission of building women by reminding them of their time and displaying talents of different professions that women can venture into. 

She encourages women to participate in the Miss Millennium in large numbers. ENDS