Crowning culture in Chobe
Lucy Kgweetsi | Sunday November 9, 2025 12:21
The event continues to position beauty contests as spaces where heritage, identity, and community intersect.
The pageant drew attention not only for its celebration of local talent but also for how it framed tourism and culture as living expressions of Botswana’s story. For Thomas, her role at the event was not ceremonial alone; it carried a message about ownership of culture, of voice, and of place.
“Chobe represents the soul of Botswana’s natural beauty. It is a privilege to witness such talent and passion in one of our most renowned destinations. I intend to continue with these engagements to encourage youth like myself. It is also vital that we, as Batswana, explore our landscapes and hold the door open to the world with a big invitation to say, Come to Botswana! A re fofe mmogo!” she said in her address to guests and contestants.
The Miss Chobe Tourism Botswana initiative, now an established feature on the northern cultural calendar, has become a stage for young women to connect tourism with social purpose.
Contestants are encouraged to articulate how culture and conservation coexist, and how local identity can shape the country’s tourism narrative beyond safari images and international marketing.
Thomas’s participation goes hand in hand with the evolving mandate of Miss Botswana to use the platform for community engagement and national storytelling.
Her appearance in Kasane followed recent visits to Maun, Francistown, and Gaborone, where she has been involved in youth and cultural activities that promote pride and unity through creative expression.
Air Botswana, which facilitated her travel to Kasane, said it was honoured to host Miss Botswana aboard as she pursues her national duties. The airline’s partnership with the Miss Botswana Organisation underscores a shared effort to spotlight the human and cultural dimensions of travel within Botswana.
While beauty pageants often risk being dismissed as superficial, the Miss Chobe Tourism event challenged that perception by foregrounding dialogue around local artistry, environmental stewardship, and women’s agency. Community leaders present at the event commended the initiative for grounding tourism within local realities.
“Miss Botswana’s presence brought weight to the message that tourism is not just an attraction, but a way of life for communities like ours. It’s about how we tell our story to the world and to ourselves,” said one of the organisers.
Thomas’s journey across the country continues to affirm that national identity is built not only through policy or promotion, but through people who sing, dance, and speak for the places they call home.