22 Aug 2017

The launch of Miss Elegance International and the Junior Modelling show which took place July 27 has the grand finale scheduled for October 28.

Addressing a press briefing at Grand Palm Hotel in Gaborone Thursday, Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Alfred Madigele said Elegance International pageant was to consolidate the celebration of beauty and elegance which were part of Setswana culture.

Madigele said the endeavour needed the support of all Batswana for it to be a success and add value to youth empowerment and development efforts.

He noted that it was meant to enhance competition as well as cultural exchange and development and add an international and commercial dimension to it.

Madigele said as the project developed, it would provide synergy with tourism and hospitality sector so as to increase inbound tourism in the country.

“It is the intention of the organisers to use the event as springboard to attract global superstars to come to Botswana as a way of raising the profile of the country and personalities emerging from events,” he said.

He said going forward it was the intention of the organisers to work closely with manufacturers of beauty product and fashion designers to exhibit at this event with a view to enhancing employment creation.

Madigele said the 2017 Miss Elegance International Pageant and Modelling show was the beginning of greater things to come and organisers were determined to make the event worth supporting financially as well as participating in.

“Private companies and Batswana in general are hereby invited to support the event and young ladies who want to be contestants in the event. In addition, as patron of the pageant, I would like, personally, to invite Batswana to embrace the event and encourage their children to participate in the event for personal development,’’ said Madigele.

Mother of the pageant, Thia Khama said Miss Elegance International Pageant and Modelling Pageant was a wonderful platform for recognising charismatic and talented women and giving them a shot at their dreams.

She said apart from providing good entertainment, pageants served the purpose of discovering new leaders, letting women promote good causes and acting as a means for contestants to show their accomplishments.

The 2017 Miss Elegance International Pageant and Junior Modeling Show will take place at the University of Botswana Indoor Sports Centre from October 27 to 28. ENDS