11 Jun 2025

Miss Universe Botswana beauty pageat has launched the Face of the District project, an initiative designed to deepen cultural understanding and promote national pride.

The exciting endeavour engages the pageant’s 13 contestants, with each finalist assigned to represent a district other than their own.  The initiative’s coordinator, Florence Raditsweng said the primary objective of the project was to immerse contestants in the diverse cultures found across Botswana.

“By assigning a contestant from one district to learn about another, we are fostering a greater appreciation for the various cultures, norms, and beliefs that make up our beautiful country,” she said. 

This initiative aimed to enhance the contestants’ morale and broaden their understanding of Botswana’s rich cultural tapestry. Drawing parallels to Botswana’s former national service, known as Tirelo Sechaba, halted a decade ago, Face of the District project encourages participants to explore cultural customs and traditions outside their own familiar environments. 

Each contestant will be posted to a different district, learning first hand about its unique cultural heritage. Raditsweng noted that the country has been divided into two regions for the purposes of this project, with Dibete village serving as the dividing line between southern and northern districts. 

While Botswana has 14 official districts, the programme has adapted to include just 13 to align with the number of finalists. Initially, there were 14 contestants, but one withdrew due to health reasons. Having transitioned from her previous role as a swimwear designer in last year’s pageant, Raditsweng is excited to oversee this new initiative. 

She indicated that after the successful boot camp held in Nata, there were two remaining boot camps, one billed for the Tuli Block area and the final one for South Africa on June 16. The pageant Director, Safie Sekgwa expressed enthusiasm over the project, highlighting its role in enriching the contestants’ experience and promoting a deeper understanding of Botswana’s diverse cultural landscape. This initiative promises to empower the finalists not only as representatives of their districts but also as ambassadors of national unity and cultural appreciation. ENDS