Miss Botswana’s doldrums
WeekendLife
Empty promises from organisers, being shunned by government officials, negative social media posts, negative publicity in China, and disinterested potential sponsors are just some of the developments that will haunt Moitshepi Elias’ reign as Miss Botswana.
Her participation at Miss World in China in December last year was hell on earth, it has been revealed. After so much endeavour trying to persuade the entire country to support a different, but meaningful Miss Botswana, the organisers failed to live up to our expectations.
The pageant organizers, that is the Botswana Council of Women (BCW) in partnership with Development Advance Institute, had said they are rebranding Miss Botswana and taking it to another level to change the way the pageant is perceived as it had lost its repute and integrity. According to Moitshepi’s parents, “this is a pipe dream.”
Elias who started the pageantry in 2013 with Miss Teen Universe Botswana had indicated before the 2017 Miss Botswana event that it was her last year doing pageantry as a contestant as she has lost hope in the event. But after promises were made by the new Miss Botswana management and the confidence they oozed, she decided to try her luck one more time. Moitshepi was confident that with the support from the country, her fans and the organisation, there is no doubt she will do well at Miss World. But all this was a lie, her parents say.
First the public was not knowledgeable about her departure date to China, her arrival or Miss World Pageant itself. The grand Finale was on the 8th Of December and the country did know about it. There was a voting process and Moitshepi constantly pleaded the public to vote for her to make it to the next round. By the 6th December Moitshepi was only voted by 0.02% people.
Moitshepi’s father, Mr Elias is very disappointed in the organisers. He is of the view that the organisers neglected Elias and failed to promote her or help in preparations for the pageantry. When Moitshepi arrived from China her disappointed family was there to welcome her. A family that was not impressed with the proceedings especially the treatment their daughter got while in China.
Moitshepi’s parents were rather emotional and angry:
“We were told we were going to be taken to China to go support her, it didn’t happen. She went to represent Botswana but I don’t know which Botswana she represented because Botswana o bihetse ngwaneke. There was a lot of turning down. She asked for assistance from Office of the President and the Ministry of Youth and she was rejected. They even encouraged Moitshepi to turn down the opportunity to participate at the Miss World. She had no support at all!” Moitshepi’s father, Mr Elias said.
According to the parent, Moitshepi did not have a wardrobe, she did not have make-up, and she had to share make up with other contestants. Why would things change when it comes to my daughter as if she is not a citizen? “Ngwanake o sotlegile, o diragaletswe ke dilo tsedi botlhoko tota. I am afraid she won’t even get what she was promised. It is the first time for me to see or talk to Mr Raletsatsi ever since Moitshepi went to China. We are not happy.”
WeekendPost had an opportunity to speak to Miss Botswana organiser, Benjamin Raletsatsi to find out what he had to say: “There were a lot of challenges and we incurred costs we didn’t budget for. But like we said in our 5 year plan, in the first year we are going to observe and she is going to be our ambassador,’’ he said. On why the public was not informed of Moitshepi’s return dates just in case her fans and friends wanted to come welcome her back home, Raletsatsi in response said: “We decided to keep this as low profile as possible. We will post pictures on facebook.’’
For her part Moitshepi said she was very happy to be back home and is looking forward to focusing on her project that she will soon disclose. She shared that she has learnt a lot from China and Miss World and cannot wait to use what she learnt to change the perspective about pageantry in the country. “I was surprised to be making headlines in China when I have not given an interview to any newspaper in China. Batswana don’t understand that every negative comment they post on my posts are seen all over the world and it affects my marks during the pageant.’’
At the competition, Vanessa Ponce de Leon made history to become the first Miss Mexico to be crowned Miss World 2018. The 2018 pageant took place in the Sanya City Arena in Sanya, China. The 26-year-old winner beat 117 other contestants, including runner up Miss Thailand Nicolene Limsnukan, Miss Uganda Quiin Abenakyo, who placed third, and and other finalists from Belarus, France, Scotland, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Mauritius, Uganda, Nepal, New Zealand and Thailand. Botswana failed to make it to top 30 while South Africa, Uganda and Nigeria are the only African countries that made it to top 30.
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“IT’S TIME FOR US TO ARCHIVE BOTSWANA HISTORY INTO BIOPICS FILMSâ€
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Dr Lame Pusetso comes to writer’s rescue
Multi award winning author of fifteen (15) books, Dr Lame Pusetso has put together a platform to empower local writers. Dr Pusetso is a President and Chairperson of the Executive Board of Kasapa Society.
She is also the Managing Director of Poeticblood Publishers and an owner of an online bookstore dubbed Mind and Soul Bookstores. Dr Pusetso has reiterated her commitment to helping upcoming authors, writers and poets in establishing their crafts and capitalizing on them.
In an exclusive interview this week, she said that she has put together a platform dubbed Botswana Literature Awards, which have fourteen categories.
When quizzed on what the awards stand for, Dr Pusetso said “writing as a form of art in Botswana is a skill that many have and have always been exploring. As a publisher, I have met different writers from all walks of life and some indicating that there isn’t enough motivation to keep going.â€
In Botswana and according to the writer, there has been a limited representation of appreciation of authors. This is despite their efforts year in year out.
The whole intention of these awards really is to honor and recognize the hard work that local authors put in, when doing what they know best (writing).
“This is a way of appreciating their creativity and we will be doing this across all genres. The awards also act as a motivational tool to young writers who still have dreams of becoming best selling authors. Quite frankly, their works are of great importance and we cannot afford to let that slide like that.â€
Dr Pusetso emphasized that all the winners will walk away with an award, a certificate and complimentary gifts to take home. “The two winners of Best Overall Author and Best Young Author will in addition receive book publication deals which includes book distribution and marketing for a year.
She gave a clearer picture of how authors can be a part of the literature awards.
“The awards are open to every author from the age of 7, must be a Motswana, and their book should have been published before or by 2022. For authors with more than one book, they are allowed to compete with only one book for one category, and different books for different categories.â€
The young writer pinned hope on institutional collaborations, in order to stage the second edition of the awards next year, saying “We believe with these awards, the different institutions and stakeholders will show interest in helping nurture the literature scenario in Botswana.â€
“It will also give authors hope and light to keep writing and penning down their stories for the benefit of all. We anticipate to host the next edition in 2024 with assistance from all interested parties.â€
THE LITERATURE AWARDS CATEGORIES
Dr Pusetso stressed that there are fourteen (14) categories, and they are: Religious or Faith Based Book, Poetry Book, Children’s Book, Multi-lingual Writer, Best Collaboration, Setswana Novel, English Novel, Motivational Book, Best Young Author (7-13), Overall Best Author, Best Theory, Best Online Writer, Best Media Writer (Honor Award) and Honor Award (Long Serving Best Author).
EXPLAINING SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Media and Honor Award, Dr Pusetso said are not based on submissions but nomination by the committee. “For Honor Award, we want to appreciate the individual who has inspired the Botswana writing scenario over the years and even assisted numerous authors as both a writer and a community leader.â€
The Best Media Writer award is meant to appreciate a journalist who is actively taking part in appreciating and helping authors in marketing, advertising and affording them a platform to showcase their works through their writing skills.
Meanwhile, the Botswana Literature Awards will be held on the 29th April and they are partially sponsored through the literacy grant. This is a grant under the Botswana National Library Services which falls under the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture.
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Women’s Awards hit the ground running
The second edition of the much-anticipated Women’s Awards Botswana will be going down on the 27th May 2023 in Gaborone at Travel Lodge. The organizers of the prestigious awards have announced finalists, with three nominees per category.
Women’s Awards Botswana is established to empower women and celebrate them from all walks of life and across sectors. The awards raise awareness for women to be granted equal participation, particularly in decision-making positions, as one way of breaking the gender bias.
They also seek to celebrate the outstanding achievements of women from diverse industries in Botswana. Taking a closer look at the categories, He for She award celebrates and shines a light on men who stand and support women.
These are men who advocate for inclusion of women, men who stand against GBV and men who promote any service that can better women life. Her Abilities award looks into women who have shown determination to keep moving and achieve any goal they have set for themselves, regardless of their disability.
Other awards are self-explanatory. They celebrate women in arts, culture and entertainment, agriculture, creativity, innovation and technology, tourism and hospitality, community impact as well as organization supporting women.
ORGANIZER SPEAKS ON CRITERIA USED
When speaking in an interview, Founder and Director of Women’s Awards Botswana, Bofelo Zebe, said in their first edition, they had fifteen categories, which was enough for a piloting project.
“But we left out many industries or lines of work. After the event, we received reviews and suggestions, and there was an intensive evaluation that led to us increasing the categories to eighteen for this second edition.â€
He said the nominees were voted in by the public, adding that the finalists were judged by a panel with the support of votes from their supporters.
When shedding light on what winners take home, Zebe indicated that there is an award trophy, certificate and goodie bags for all categories but “we are working to have financial sponsors jump on board so that winners and nominees can receive monetary incentives. We are also busy at work trying to retain our previous sponsors.â€
THE 2023 WOMEN’S AWARDS BOTSWANA NOMINEES
HE FOR SHE AWARD
Desmond Lunga, Tlhabo Kgosiemang and Christopher Seagateng
BEST WOMAN IN ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT
Ditshupo Mosoboloko, Thanolo Keutlwile and Seneo Mabengano
HER ABILITIES AWARD
Koketso Seleke, Goabo Kgasa and Mumsie Odirile
SPORTS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Naledi Marape, Ouname Mhotsha and Keamogetse Kenosi
WOMAN FASHION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Montle Rantatana, Lesedi Matlapeng and Trudy Bakwena
BEST WOMAN IN AGRICULTURE
Nomathemba Masuku, Basadi Molelekeng and Keolebogile Keabetswe
BEST WOMAN IN CREATIVITY, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Marang Mbaakanyi, Didintle Moreki and Thandeka Palai
BEST WOMAN IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Masego Keleadile, Wapula Matshambane and Tshepo Phokoje
YOUNG WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Bridget Gothaang, Waone Makobo and Kimberly Matheakgomo
WOMAN OWNED SME BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Suits Africa, Nomlu Nail Bar and Sunflower Desserts
BEST WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS
Prezlin Clothing and Dawn Bell Academy
FEMALE MUSIC ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Mpho Sebina, Dato Seiko and Priscilla K
BEST ORGANIZATION SUPPORTING WOMEN
Sekao Foundation, The Fighters Support Group and Single Mothers Living with HIV
BEST WOMAN WITH COMMUNITY IMPACT
Lebopo Bulayani, Nanzelela Chaitezvi and Kebadile Wasenda
MEDIA WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Poppy Sello, Keikantse Shumba and Kedi Lezozo
FAVOURITE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Marang Selolwane, Palesa Molefe and Masi Sithole
BEST WOMAN IN LEADERSHIP
Naseem Lahri, Neo Bogatsu and Lily Rakorong