11 Sep 2016

Miss Botswana 2016, Thata Kenosi, received her prizes in Gaborone on Thursday (September 8) following her crowning on July 29.

The first and second princesses Oabona Kamona and Phatsimo Baoagi respectively also received theirs.

The prize giving ceremony, which was sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, saw Kenosi receiving P300 000 from the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture as well as P70 000 diamond jewelry from Debswana, De Beers and DTC Botswana.

Other benefits included a P2 million medical and travel cover from Symphony Health, P1.5 million 5-year life cover from Liberty Life Insurance and a business class travel to Miss World in Ethiopian Airlines.

Kenosi also received a tablet from Mascom Wireless.

Kamona received P150 000 and  P50 000 diamond jewelry while Baoagi received P75 000 and P35 000 diamond jewelry. 

Nine contestants received P7 000 while the last 18 were given a consolation of P2 500.

Speaking at the event, deputy permanent secretary in the ministry of youth, Peter Mongwaketse, applauded those who took part in making the Miss Botswana 2016 pageant a success.

Mongwaketse, said he was confident that the boot camp was able to produce well-rounded queen who will be able to represent the country well at the Miss World, billed for December 18 in Washington DC.

He said the queen was busy with her project and mobilising resources as one of the requirements was that the project should be complete before leaving for the US in November 19.

Mongwaketse refused media allegations that both Miss Botswana and Miss World procedure were flouted during the adjudication of the pageant. ENDS