Chief judge promises fairness at tomorrow's Miss Botswana finale
Larona Makhaiza | Friday March 20, 2026 14:13
Stakes are high as the nation prepares for the Saturday night finale that will end with the crowning of new queen to succeed the reigning Ruth Thomas. Mmegi Online caught up with Miss Botswana Chief Judge Carol Bouwer on the eve of the event, who promised that the adjudication process will be fairly good and on merit on the night. “Last year we had an interesting incident before the announcement of the winner and for me it was the first time that I knew that I really respected the process that adjudicates,” she said. “We knew that there was a favourite but we kept integrity of the process because we knew that there is a criterion that you use to adjudicate.”
Bouwer leads a panel of six judges who have been tasked with selecting a new queen to wear the crown tomorrow night. The six judges are; Dr Brian Monaisa, Itseng Champane, Goitsemodimo Khutsafalo, Yolanda Miya, Mooketsi Maphane and Kaone Moremong. She highlighted that as a panel of judges they are not influenced by what is happening outside, but will solely focus on the contestants to pick the new Miss Botswana. “There is an auditing process that takes place and once the scores are collected and as the head judge your integrity is on the line so we will work on that,” the Chief Judge added. Ahead of the finale tomorrow, Bouwer encouraged the contestants to be themselves as they eye the crown.
The top 12 finalists who will be vying for the Miss Botswana crown are; Michelle Bagoleng, Kimberley Kotewa, Gaselesire Phalanyane, Ogaufi Seakgo-Mmathuga, Magdeline Modipane, Thabiso Segokgo, Abale Matsoma, Mosa Gontshwanetse, Kgalalelo Lentebanye, Angela Phuthego and Casey Esmeraldo The finale will be held tomorrow at Molapo Crossing in the evening and tickets are selling at P500 for standard while VIP tickets go for P1, 500.