Beyond the Crown: Gaothusi reflects on growth, gratitude, future
Sharon Mathala - Larona Makhaiza | Friday June 6, 2025 11:13
Arts&Culture: Congratulations on making it to the Top 40 at Miss World 2025. How did it feel to reach the milestone after many attempts through the fast track challenges? Gaothusi: It felt like a dream come true. My heart dropped, I paused a bit because I finally did it even though I didn’t make it through the fast track challenges. It means that my work at Miss World was impactful and people saw it.
Arts&Culture: Did you ever lose hope you might miss out on progressing to the Top 40 stage after missing out on fast track challenges?
Gaothusi: Never! I have never lost hope because when I went to Miss World, I said to myself that whatever is out of my control, let it be and whatever is in my control, I will control it. So, even if I wasn’t making it through the fast tracks I knew that there is another way.
Arts&Culture: At Miss World, what did your preparations entail and how did it equip you for the competition?
Gaothusi: Preparations were very hectic because of my beauty with a purpose project as I traveled across the country. That was a hectic job personally and I have done my best on it. Same with the Head to Head challenge and sports because I wasn’t feeling well. I had flue so that’s the challenge I had.
Arts&Culture: What emotions did you experience during the competition, especially upon realizing you wouldn’t progress beyond the Top 40 and that meant the end of your journey?
Gaothusi: When they announced top 20 I was surprised that I did not make it. It tricked me for a bit but then I was like its okay because I was happy with what I had done. At the end of the day I had represented my country and myself. I wasn’t completely sad.
Arts&Culture: How do you plan to sustain and expand the reach of Lights now that the Miss World competition has concluded? Gaothusi: Lights is moving on. This is something that I am truly devoted to as I want to teach people to do proper CPR, how to deal with dislocations and everything. The main goal for Lights is to have it in the syllabus or a course in every school so we are still going to push that.
Arts&Culture: How was the support from President Duma Boko instrumental for you and you interacted with him upon your return what did the two of you discuss?
Gaothusi: That was an emotional day for me because it was pre-stage rehearsal and he called when I just doing make. I was really happy and it boosted my confidence to see the president supporting me. Other contestants were shocked that the president called. When I got back I met him and we had good conversation on how the competition was. As much as he is the President he represented a father figure. We talked about three things, one the diamond industry, two my Lights foundation especially on it being part of the syllabus and he endorsed the plan for it. Third was about having the African continent unite.
Arts&Culture: What are your immediate plans following the Miss World competition? Are there new projects or initiatives your excited to pursue?
Gaothusi: I have got so many things to do. With Miss Botswana it is a full time job and you have to stand for Batswana but during my reign I paused my studies so I will continue with that, my personal life ambitions, part time jobs and probably train kids in pageantry as well as the Lights Foundation.