Miss Universe Botswana raises questions
Lucy Kgweetsi | Monday September 29, 2025 06:00
Speaking at the announcement of reigning queen Lillian Andries's homecoming and international preparations, Sekgwa urged government and other institutions to see pageantry as a growing sector that, like tourism, diamonds, and athletics, can contribute to Botswana’s identity and international visibility.
“We often hear that the country is broke, but being broke does not mean one cannot maintain themselves,” Sekgwa said.
He gave the example of Miss Universe Botswana, noting that despite limited funding and sponsorships, they did not cancel the pageant. “We worked with what we had,” he explained, pointing to resilience as a model for how creative industries might be supported in lean times.
Andries, who will represent Botswana at the Miss Universe competition in Thailand on November 21, 2025, is scheduled for a homecoming celebration in her home village, Ramotswa, on October 17. The event is expected to draw community members in recognition of her selection as the country’s representative.
The queen has used her platform to advocate for education and career development through her initiative Beyond the Crown, which introduces learners to new professional fields. At the same time, she has acknowledged the practical challenges of preparing for international competition, appealing for sponsorships and professional support from designers, makeup artists, and other creatives.
Her appeals underline broader concerns about whether Botswana’s cultural industries have the structural backing needed to thrive. For years, pageantry has occupied an uneasy position, celebrated when individuals succeed internationally, but often underfunded and reliant on private sponsorships.
This year’s contest also brought First Princess Dabilo Moses and Second Princess Wangu Modise into the spotlight, both of whom have pledged their support for Andries’ journey.
Corporate involvement has come in the form of Sunbet BW, which recently unveiled the three queens as ambassadors. While this provides some relief, Sekgwa’s remarks make clear that private partnerships alone cannot sustain platforms intended to showcase national identity.
Andries herself has expressed determination about competing in Thailand, but the wider discussion sparked by this year’s preparations may prove that pageantry in Botswana is being positioned not simply as spectacle, but as one of the cultural industries through which the country can reimagine investment in its people.
In Sekgwa’s words, diamonds and tourism will remain central, but pageantry and sport are “the new thing” emerging avenues where talent, resilience, and identity converge. Whether these areas receive the long-term recognition and support he is calling for remains an open question.