MISS BOTSWANA TOP 15: Who will be the fairest of them all?
WeekendLife
The hunt for the next Miss Botswana is leveling up, and the young girls cannot keep up with the heat. No pain, no gain. These are the words that are resounding in their minds right now, as it is now and never. The finalists are ought to keep eyes on the ball, because, each and every breath they take, they are either given a tick or a red cross.
Miss Botswana Top 30 has been trimmed to the final 15. Ordinarily, the top 15 finalists are revealed at the fashion show. The Miss Botswana management this time around is doing things differently, probably chasing time as the pageant is always held very late.
The big elephant in the room though, is that the Miss Botswana 2022 is allegedly substandard. This is a disturbing trend that has been reoccurring for the past, four years maybe. The finalists are said to be of poorer standard required by the Miss World organization, and the pageant altogether is said to be waffle.
Beauty pageant analysts say Miss Botswana finalists fail to put together competitive and sustainable Beauty-with-a-purpose projects, which are supposed to blow the Miss World judges away. Beauty-with-a-purpose projects are simply what the Miss World is all about. In order for a Miss World finalist to place high, she ought to have a project that works with children, or women at least.
Talking about Beauty-with-a-purpose projects, Miss Botswana Top 15 finalists shared with the devoted followers of the pageant, what they really have to offer. All the contestants aspire to wear the Miss Botswana tiara that has been decorated with some diamond carats, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. The girls have to throw caution to the wind, even if it means exhausting their savings accounts to look the part.
LORATO JANICE
With the crown, I aim to do more than just inspiring Batswana regarding achieving what we tell ourselves is unattainable, more than just being the face of Botswana and representing in other countries. Making Botswana a better place starts with the younger generation, and one of the things I deeply appreciate about the crown is its reach,.
CYNTHIA KALAYAKGOSI
Engaging the hearts, minds and hands of talents is the most sustainable resource of a competitive advantage Botswana could have. Working with an influential organization like Miss Botswana will afford an opportunity to amplify my passion for talent development and entrepreneurship.
TSHEPO SEBAGA
I believe my being in the Miss Botswana platform already, brings significant change to my beloved country. This is because in addition to fighting the existing GBV scourge through my beauty with a purpose project, my being a second time finalist inspires Batswana to understand that facing adversity puts us at an advantage as we become more resilient to life.
SEBAGA MANYAPETSA
I would make Botswana better with the crown by actively pushing to get Batswana involved in issues that affect them. Botswana has been ranked as the country with the highest rape cases in the whole world. It is about time we stood together and dealt with this through raising awareness.
PUSELETSO LOBELWANE
I believe that a queen should inspire, serve its people and lift as she rises. As your Miss Botswana I strongly believe in social solidarity. I therefore will use my crown and my power to influence our people to have a spirit of giving.
PEARL MOKGOSI
With the crown I would strive to encourage more unity amongst Batswana and together conceptualize ways to tackle dire challenges we face as a country.
NEO PHOLOGA
I will make Botswana a better place by ensuring the protection of children. In doing this, I will include all the stakeholders from the parents to the highest office.
LESEGO SEJAI
I will definitely spread the spirit of living in the moment which will help a lot of us to introspect and move forward with a mentality of a positive future.
LESEGO CHOMBO
I will use the Miss Botswana crown to pursue social justice through my service. As an individual who has so much love for the underprivileged community. I believe that their inclusion is vital in the pursuit of social justice.
GONTLAFETSE OAGILE
With the crown I plan to drive change within our education system. The current growing number of unemployment with our youth is a clear indication of a disconnect.
GOITSEMODIMO JOGWE
I believe that Miss Botswana crown shall influence the training and teaching about the whole process of diamond production from the grassroots. To curb the issue of outsourcing only to import finished products at a cost.
GODIRAONE KGAUTLHE
To me a crown represent servitude and it comes with responsibilities to serve people as well as being their mouthpiece on socio-economic issues that are prevalent in their particular society, so I intend to advocate against depression, suicide and judgmental society.
CHESHE LUBA
Botswana has the potential to transition from a linear economy to a circular economy with youth being the largest contributor. I aim to use this crown as a platform to support the capacitation of the youth of Botswana in realizing and appreciating the untapped value of efficient and effective waste management in Botswana.
BRIDGETTE MOKOJWA
Being a Miss Botswana would be an honor and a responsibility. I would serve with passion, love, confidence and strength. I would see to it that I work very hard to ensure that I create an environment where negativity would not grow and foster.
ALIPO MAKOSHA
With my crown, I am to use my position of influence to help my country pursue its national aspirations. I believe that the groups that stand to benefit the most are women and children and as such I aim to centre my projects on the said groups.
WeekendLife
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.
WeekendLife
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.