Lifestyle

Mr Botswana pageant returns

Some of Mr Botswana pageant hopefuls
 
Some of Mr Botswana pageant hopefuls

However, she could not host the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mokoloba said the pageant will mark a return this year with auditions planned to be held soon.

She said they would host a Fashion Show on June 1, 2024 in Maun at the Village Hall while the Grand finale will be held in Gaborone on August 31, 2024.

The venue for the finale will be communicated in due course. “Mr Botswana winner will be the face, advocate and champion of all men and will be expected to come up with interventions that address men’s life challenges, which include sexuality (reproductive health), men’s health, family planning, psycho-social (mental health) and financial matters.

This pageantry aims to create a competitive environment in our male youth,” Mokoloba said. “It moulds responsible young men of integrity and also addresses social ills ranging from high gender-based violence, high passion killings together with alcohol and drug abuse. It also aims to create opportunities for corporate and social responsibility towards empowering a boy-child. A boy-child has been left behind. Girls have role models from the beauty pageantry for females in the likes of Palesa Molefe and Lesego Chombo while there is no role model for boys.

This pageant is all about boy-child empowerment,” Mokoloba explained. Furthermore, she said the pageantry targets young men aged 18-35 years. He added that eligible contestants should not have a crime record and be someone who is ready to serve their country in an advocacy role. The winner will get a scholarship to pursue a Diploma in Law at the Gaborone University College of Law and P50, 000 while the first runner-up will walk away with P30,000 and be allowed to pursue a certificate in any course of her choice. The second runner-up will win P20,000 and a certificate in any course of their choice.

The top 10 will get an opportunity to pursue a certificate in any course they desire. All these studies are sponsored by the GUC. She called upon both the community and business people to support their pageantry. She said they will be hosting the pageantry annually. Tickets will sell for P300 standard and P750 VIP.