22 Jan 2026

What was supposed to be the pinnacle of her career, representing Botswana at the 2020 Miss Philanthropic pageant in Abuja, Nigeria, turned into a nightmare for the then 23-year-old. Despite promises of full sponsorship, organisers abruptly cut off communication, leaving Kwele stranded in Gaborone, far from her home in Maun.
“It was a huge disappointment that I will never forget. Imagine how Batswana, who had supported me and were rooting for me, felt. I asked the organisers to release an apology statement because it was their fault, but they never did,” she said
The pain was so palpable that Kwele nearly walked away from pageantry forever. Instead, she chose resilience.
Channelling her frustration into a mission for change, she founded The Dignified Pageantry, a platform designed to promote modesty, empowerment and, above all, professionalism.
“With this project, I want to rectify the mistakes I experienced and bring dignity back to the industry,” she explained.
The inaugural edition of the pageant is set to take place in Maun on October 23, opening its doors to young women from across the country. By hosting the event in the north, Kwele aims to solve a major barrier for local talent.
“We have immense talent in the north, but many girls miss auditions in Gaborone because of the high travel costs,” she noted.
Themed, Crowning Dignity, Celebrating Botswana’s Tourism Hub, Maun, the event serves to empower women and revive a tourism sector still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 10 selected finalists will participate in a specialised boot camp, where they will tour Maun premier attraction sites, explore and promote local cuisine as well as undergo intensive preparation for the grand finale.
Beyond logistics, Kwele, a professional makeup artist and a psychiatric and mental health nurse at Jubilee Hospital, is on a mission to dismantle societal prejudices. She is firm in her stance that beauty pageantry is an inclusive space.
“In beauty pageantry, there are no physical attribute qualifications,” she stated, addressing the stereotype that pageants are only for specific body types.
As a devoted Christian, she also faces scrutiny from religious circles. “Beauty pageantry is for everyone. It is about passion and I won’t throw away my passion just because of my faith,” she added.
With a growing presence on her Facebook page, The Dignified Queen, and sponsors beginning to sign on, Kwele is optimistic about the future.
Her five-year plan includes expanding auditions to every corner of Botswana and ensure that no girl is left behind due to her location.
Kwele’s journey is a demonstration of the power of determination. She has successfully transformed a moment of personal heartbreak into a movement that promises to empower the next generation of Batswana women. ENDS