02 Oct 2017

The search for Miss Botswana 2018 marked the end of its journey and a new beginning for the beauty queen Nicole Gaelebale after battling out for the crown at the University of Botswana Sports Arena on Thursday.

It was Gaelebale’s sixth time entering the pageant as she has been attempting the pageant since 2010 at the age of 18, but decide to skip last year’s crowning to regroup and gather her strength.

Addressing the press after scooping the top most position, Gaelebale stated that her aim was to win Miss World, hence her continued persistence for the Miss Botswana crown.

The 24-year-old farmer, Neelo Nthobatsang emerged first princess, while the crowds favourite, law student, Uua Murangi scooped the second princess title.

Talking to the press, Murangi said she was proud of Gaelebale and could not have asked for a better winner.

Murangi stated that Gaelebale would, without doubt, reign exceptionally well.

Miss Botswana 2016/2017 first princess, Bonnie Kamona stood in for Miss Botswana 2016/2017 Thata Kenosi, who has left for the United Kingdom to study and crowned the queen.

Miss World Pageant will be in November 18, but Gaelebale is set to leave for China on October 18, as the participants are expected there a month prior the event.

The top 12 contestants were draped in gorgeous, stunning designs throughout the pageant by talented Botho Chalebgwa of Botocy and Kaone Moremong of House of Kay.

Guests were also stunningly dressed for to the glits and glamorous event.

In an interview with BOPA, Coordinator of Miss Botswana, Ms Dorcus Thobega addressed last year’s controversy on the tattoo issue and that of the committee wanting the reigning queen to win from the set, stating that every year people always complain about foul play and unfair competition.

She said as chief judge she always keeps an eye on other judges and has never seen them not complying with the rules and regulations as they are professional and take their work seriously.

She added that also as judges they only find out whom the winner is when being announced to the crowd after the one consolidating the results gives them to the presenter to announce.
Judges do not compare notes.

On the tattoo issue she mentioned that Botswana Council of Women follows the rules and regulations of Miss World.

Miss World regulations stipulate that the tattoo should not be visible when one is on the ramp.

“The law does not say ‘no tattoos’, it say ‘no visible tattoos’, so we cannot deny one from taking part because they have a tattoo,” she said.

She mentioned that they were not aware of Thata Kenosi’s tattoos and only heard of them after being crowned.

Thobega stated that Miss World permitted Kenosi to take part in the pageant as the tattoos were not visible.

Thobega stated that last year Miss Botswana committee and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development had joined forces and managed to plan well in time a successful show.

She further stated that this year the ministry was preoccupied with other events since January, leading them to fail meeting on time, which in turn led to Miss Botswana pageant seemingly rushed.

Thobega said they only managed to meet end of July and as the Miss Botswana committee they felt the need to have a representative  at the Miss World pageant as not doing so may not sit well with the nation.

Thobega touched on the criteria used when judging the girls and what is expected of them as well.

“When judging the girls they look at intelligence, demean, conversational skills, the project one is to conduct and how she presents it forth,” she said.

She said this year the challenge faced was that they did not have sponsors as preparations started late and made it difficult for funds from potential sponsors to be sourced as they needed more than a month to prepare to assist with funds.

“This time along with the prize money we have decide as a committee that we are only going to give the winner half of the money when starting her reign and the rest after completing her reign and project,” she said.

She added that they have realised that the previous reigning queens lagged behind in carrying their duties and completing their projects after getting their prize money, which is not part of the contract agreement.

She stressed the importance of monitoring the reigning queen’s project until the project is complete.

Thobega said she expected Miss Botswana winner to do right by her nation and help take it to greater heights, leaving a mark for her name to be remembered by next generations just like Miss Botswana 1997 and Miss Universe 1999 Mpule Kwelagobe has managed to do right by her nation and raise the country’s flag high by doing exceptionally.

She spoke of her creating ‘Mpule Kwelagobe Foundation’ as a way of helping her nation, and keeping her legacy alive and to be remember years to come.
Mpule Kwelagobe Foundation, a non-profit organisation, was established in 1999 to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Botswana.

The Foundation was officially launched by the former President of South Africa, global statesman, Nelson Mandela.
In conclusion, she urged Batswana to be supportive of the event and not be quick to judge it and think that there is always foul play as they run the event fairly and completely professionally.

The glamorous event brought the likes of the sensational songstress of hit Follo, Amantle Brown, the talented and composed Mpho Sebina popularly known for her song Loves Light, ATI with his Khiring Khorong hit, the famous Mfana wa style, Lizibo of the hit Shetla. ENDS