17 Oct 2017

Miss Botswana 2017, Nicole Gaelebale has bid Mahalapye residents farewell  before leaving for Sanya, China, for the Miss World pageant next month.

Gaelebale, 26, of Mahalapye saw it fit to bid residents and relatives farewell before leaving the country tomorrow to compete against other girls from 130 countries for the Miss World title.

She encouraged the youth to follow their dreams and to never give up in life.

She noted that she had been trying her luck in the Miss Botswana pageant since 2010, and that it was not an easy road.

She appealed to the youth to be patient and to fight for what they believed in.

“There will always be those who will be negative, ignore them and follow your dreams,” she said.

She appealed to parents to encourage and support their children.

The beauty queen expressed gratitude to residents for coming in large numbers to send her off, and promised to do her best and bring the crown home.

She promised never to forget her roots and that she would handle herself like a true Motswana with respect and Botho and that she would fly the country’s flag high since she had their blessings.

Botswana Council of Women president, Francinah Ramatlhakwane, who had accompanied Miss Botswana, hailed her as a humble and patient person who never gave up on her dream of becoming the country’s queen.

She said Gaelebale was a champion in the making and that she would bring the crown home.

Ramatlhakwane said Gaelebale has proved that she was a fighter and a winner.

Kgosi Duncan Segotsi of Mahalapye applauded Gaelebale for raising the village’s name high.

He said Mahalapye residents were proud of her and wished her the best in her journey to Miss World and asked her to come back again when she returned. ENDS