It was not long time ago when she got crowned as Queen, after a series of hard work to take over the crown.

For her it was a journey of learning and a wakeup call at the same time, to put hark work in her reign and to bring the best out of it.

Today, she gave a reflection on becoming Queen and reminisced on what it took for her to complete her reign. The Queen is expected to hang over the crown soon, and to who, we are yet to find out.

When reflecting back on her journey, Oweditse Phirinyane shared with WeekendLife that from the time she got crowned as Queen, there was a form of sisterhood that existed within the contestants.

To an extent whereby they were able to solve their issues amicably without holding grudges.�You know when there is a group of women in one place, people often expect drama. But ours was minimal.

It was more of a sisterhood and our fights were more of sisters. We just solved them and got over them,� she said.Forming part of the contestants meant she had to gird her loins and place herself in a better position to be able to take the crown and ascend the throne as Miss Botswana 2019/20.

�From Phikwe, when SPEDU was taking us on those trips every day. We got lessons, the mere fact that SPEDU was the main sponsor, and they would take us on these long drives, it then occurred to me that this is all for nothing. I had to pay attention to everything that was being said.

My gut said there would be a question on SPEDU. So when we came back, I was ready because I was paying attention and I took time to read the pamphlets that were given to us.�

�So when I took over as Queen, I had a short period to record beauty with a purpose. I had to meet all the Miss World deadlines, I had back to back meetings, interviews and at the same time I had to prepare my wardrobe so it was just crazy. There were no enough sponsors to rely on.

There was no time for delegation of issues. There was no money. I also managed because I had good relationships with designers, as a model and as an individual.�Even though the budget was not enough to cover up her expenses, she had to take care of herself because Miss Botswana did not have money.

Although they assisted where they could, they could not cover half of her wardrobe, not even a quarter. Due to different timelines, and different seasons, she struggled to buy winter clothes for London as it was summer this side, yet it was winter where she was going to compete.

�The shops did not have winter clothes, so it was stressful getting ready for Miss World. That was the most painful part of my reign. You end up settling for things you would not settle for. I then suggested for the next Queen to be crowned earlier.

I wanted to be there for them to form that part of sisterhood. Most of the Queens after their reign they leave because of conflicts. So I wanted to change that,� she said.�If they all meet then I will too because I know the tricks.

The tricks starts here, what is happening in our country and what you have been doing back home. Even if it is not a major thing. Companies, when we come to them and we say �support Miss Botswana�, it would not always be about money but making the Queen part of their projects and social responsibility projects.

She has to be there to build her portfolio and those who are watching can see that she is active. There are a lot of events in the country that a Queen can attend.�

Being at Miss World
Part of her reign meant her being at Miss World to compete with Queens from all over the globe. Although she anticipating to give her all at Miss World, she was met with disappointment. However, she had a form of sisterhood with other countries to cushion the disappointments that befell her.

�When I left for Miss World I was so exhausted. My mum had to come the previous day to help me pack. I was so exhausted. My body was on shutdown mode. She came because I was just about to break down. I was overwhelmed because I was doing a lot of things. Her presence made me feel better,�� said Phirinyane.

�I left for London alone and I had a lot of luggage with me at the time. London was my first long trip. So I was sleeping on the way because I did not want to stress about anything. I arrived in London and I saw people from the Embassy waiting for me. And I had to check in at the Tower Hotel.

I did not have a roommate for a week. My roommate was Miss Ethiopia. I grew close to Miss Barbados and Miss Antigua. When my roommate came, she was a headsets girl,�

�Her English was not good even when I needed to converse with her. Our conversation would be short. But what I loved about her was that she would tell me how amazing I was, without fail.�

Although she had initially perceived that she will be competing globally to bring the crown home, she was instead surprised to learn that the finalized where already chosen and they were there to do formalities.

�They already had their finalists based on social media, not the likes and not the followings but the reception and how you are treated back home. The other thing they look at was how valuable pageantry is in your country. That is if they crown you, what they will benefit from your country. It is business at the end of the day,�� she said.

�Some people would be barely having two weeks and already they are in Top 40. Somehow it would crush me or destroy someone. I would raise my complaints to our team leader that it was not fair. I was in a group with huge countries.

Countries where pageantry is taken seriously. When I didn�t make it to the Top 40 I was shocked. But at the same time I was content and proud that I have done my best.� She stated that she had a lot of projects that she had to do back home, but she could not due to Covid-19 but there were initiatives she engaged in for the betterment of the society.

When she took over she admitted that she was hyped up and pumped up to implement her projects, which she said she will continue doing even after her reign.�I wish I could have done more but I am still proud of what I have done.

I am proud that I never gave up. I hope one day it gets to a point where people understand the beauty of pageantry and the entertainment industry,� said Phirinyane.