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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BOTSWANA TO HOST MISS WORLD 2026
Even though Botswana has over the years been performing extremely poorly at the Miss World competition, the country has confirmed that it will be hosting the beauty festival in 2026. Initially, the country was to host Miss World next year, something it failed to confirm before deadline. Director at Miss Botswana, Benjamin Raletsatsi, says Botswana will be ready then to host all participants. Miss Botswana Top 25 finalists left the boot camp yesterday. Quite shocking though, Miss Botswana team is still failing basics as responding to media inquiries on time yet it is dangerously hoping to host an event of high status
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DJ Sway ‘saved’ the YAMAs
DJ Sway, the daring and ambitious on-air presenter of Yarona FM, played a crucial role in saving the radio station’s music awards, known as the YAMAs. The event was initially dry and disorganized, but DJ Sway, who co-hosted with Pearl Thusi, injected life into the show. However, things took a turn for the worse when Pearl Thusi abruptly left the stage, leaving DJ Sway to carry on alone. Despite the unexpected setback, DJ Sway rose to the occasion and captivated the audience, effectively putting an end to the drama caused by Pearl Thusi.
In an exclusive interview after the YAMAs, DJ Sway revealed the behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolded during the event. He acknowledged the script editors, Phalana and Hope, who worked tirelessly to reedit the script and adapt it to a one-host format. Despite the last-minute changes, DJ Sway remained composed and focused, thanks to the support of his colleagues, such as Owen Rampha, Katlego Rakola, Tshepang Motsisi (DJ Easy), and LB.
When asked about his initial reaction to the unexpected turn of events, DJ Sway admitted to feeling saddened by how things ended. However, he credited Pearl Thusi for giving him a much-needed confidence boost during his moment of doubt. She reminded him that he was destined for greatness and that he didn’t need big stars to succeed. With her words of encouragement, DJ Sway regained his composure and approached the rest of the show with the same professionalism and charisma he displays on the radio.
To overcome the challenges he faced, DJ Sway relied on his radio skills and calm personality. He engaged with the audience as if he were speaking to a single person, pointing out individuals in the crowd to create a more intimate connection. He also expressed gratitude for his backstage team, who provided support and ensured the smooth running of the show.
DJ Sway expressed satisfaction in being seen as the saving grace of the YAMAs. He believed that he fulfilled his role as a host and brought joy to the Yarona FM board, his family, and his fans. Despite his success, DJ Sway’s journey has not been without hardships. He has experienced the loss of his mother and sister, which has left a lasting impact on him. While he continues to grieve, he seeks solace in therapy sessions and relies on his father for emotional support.
DJ Sway’s dedication to his craft and ability to overcome adversity make him a remarkable figure in the radio industry. His vibrant personality and deep knowledge of music have made him a perfect fit for Yarona FM. Despite the challenges he has faced, DJ Sway remains determined to make a positive impact and bring joy to his listeners. With his talent and resilience, there is no doubt that DJ Sway will continue to thrive in his career and leave a lasting legacy in the world of radio.
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Chef Gustos walk of shame
Chef Gustos, the renowned hitmaker, recently experienced what can only be described as a walk of shame at the 8th edition of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs). Despite being nominated a whopping seven times, he failed to secure a single win. Ouch!
The night was filled with surprises, drama, and controversy, but the biggest winner of the evening was Han C, who walked away with three awards, including Best Pop and Best Male Single for his hit song, “Sebinki.” Han C graciously announced that he would be donating P10,000 from his winnings to his fellow nominees, promoting a spirit of togetherness among artists. What a noble gesture!
Meanwhile, Chef Gustos found himself on the losing end of several categories, including People’s Choice Artist of the Year, which he had won in the past. He seemed unfazed by the loss, stating, “People know that ‘Away’ was big, but they won’t stop me.” It’s clear that Chef Gustos is determined to continue making music, regardless of the awards he receives.
However, he did express his frustration with the outcome, suggesting that the awards may be corrupt. He declined to comment further, citing the need to protect his brand and maintain good relationships with corporate clients. It’s understandable that he wants to avoid any potential damage to his future prospects.
In fact, Chef Gustos went so far as to request that Yarona FM not nominate him for future YAMAs. It seems he wants to distance himself from the disappointment and focus on his music without the pressure of awards. Perhaps this decision will allow him to create freely and without the burden of expectations.
While Chef Gustos may have experienced a walk of shame at the YAMAs, it’s important to remember that awards do not define an artist’s talent or success. His fans still appreciate his music, and he continues to have gigs with corporate clients. So, despite the disappointment, Chef Gustos remains optimistic about his future in the industry.
In the end, the YAMAs may have been a letdown for Chef Gustos, but he’s determined to keep moving forward. He won’t let a lack of awards dampen his spirits or hinder his creativity. And who knows, maybe next time he’ll come back stronger and prove that he’s deserving of recognition. After all, the true measure of an artist’s success lies in the hearts of their fans, not in shiny trophies.