MRS Botswana crowns five queens
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Sunday July 30, 2023 06:00
Even though they regard themselves as an association for married women, Lesetedi said they also decided to add a beauty pageant which focuses on promoting happy healthy marriages. She added that this year unlike in the past, they chose to measure up to the international standards and crown five queens.
They include Phatsimo Seema the fourth runner, Dr Goabaone Rankgoane Pono the third runner up title, Carole Ndori the second runner up, Jessica Ntshole who scooped the first runner up title 35-year-old Portia Mokgathong who was crowned the queen. The queen also scooped three more awards like best dressed, GBV project award and The Mentor award.
Furthermore, Lesetedi explained that they realised that many marriages were breaking in alarming numbers. She said as such they decided to advocate happy marriages. Lesetedi added that they chose to use the beauty pageant to build, strengthen and grow marriages. She added that the pageantry kick started with auditions in April this year and was later followed by a fashion show on June and a boot camp where they invited both husbands and wives. “At the boot camp there were activities where our contestants scored some points that were added to their overall score. We also had a talent night where the Mr’s and their MRS scored some points.
It was later followed by a gender based violence (GBV) presentation where they also scored some points. That is when we had our grand finale last Saturday," Lesetedi said. She continued: “The ladies were judged on their national consume, how their designs could sell the country. They were also judged on their evening gowns and questions determining their overall scores. The lady who scored the highest scores after adding both points was crowned the winner. When looking for our queen, we looked for someone who walks the talk. We wanted someone who when talking about marriage talks about something she identifies with." She added that they wanted a queen who when she tells people about the beauty of marriage, was an exemple of a happy and healthy marriage. However, speaking of prizes, she said they were not satisfied with the little prizes they gave their winners.
She added that they had prizes from BR Proctor, photo shoots where winners get family portraits and profiles and other prizes. She, however, said they would some day like to see themselves providing the queen with a house to stay in during her reign and a classy car. Lesetedi also said this year they had 40 women who registered to partake in the pageant but decided to choose 30 who were later cut down to top 12 at the fashion show. She added that this year’s competition was tough.
She explained that this year they decided to engage husbands to partake in the pageantry so that they also take part in growing their families and gaining knowledge in different issues that affect families. For her part, Mokgathong said she could not wait to give back to the community during her reign as MRS Botswana. She said she was excited to have been crowned the MRS Botswana winner.