14 Sep 2017

Nineteen models are set to participate at the Miss Independence pageant  scheduled for  September  23 at Cresta President Hotel in Gaborone.

Miss Independence is an annual event that will be on its second year, but with a lot of improvements made since the last pageant.

In an interview, Gaonyafale Phuti, the organiser of the pageant, revealed that this year participants were aged between 18 and 35 years of age as compared to the 18-25 years last year.

She said the decision was made based on popular demand from the public.

Phuti said the winner would be “someone who has a vast knowledge about their culture, as she will be representing the country at the Miss Heritage pageant that is set to take place in South Africa.”

“Participants have been tasked to research more about their cultures and during the show they will be allowed to cite and translate different Setswana verbs and proverbs to see if they know their Setswana culture,” she said, adding that the much anticipated pageant would be an opportunity for Batswana to come and appreciate different Setswana cultures.

Phuti further revealed that the winner would walk away with P5 000 cash while the first runner-up and second runner-up would walk away with P3 000 and P1 500 respectfully.

Tickets sell for P250 for general access and P500 for VIP which includes a buffet dinner.

She appealed to  private companies and government departments to support the pageant by sponsoring the event. ends