Miss World Botswana honours former queens
staff writer | Monday April 20, 2026 15:42
The event brought together the DAI Group team, executing partners, and both outgoing and incoming queens, thus symbolising a seamless passing of the crown from Miss World Botswana Ruth Thomas to the newly crowned Miss Botswana 2026, Magdalene Angel Modipane.
Among those in attendance were key partners including Braveheart, Ratco Events, Pageantry Academy, Papervalley, and Last Dime, all recognised for their role in advancing the Miss Botswana brand. The ceremony also featured outgoing titleholders Ruth Thomas alongside her princesses, Selwana Motsemeng and Girly Kookilwe, as well as the new royal court comprising Modipane and her princesses, Mosa Gontshwanetse and Michelle Bagoleng.
The occasion was marked by reflection and symbolism, as the outgoing queens formally handed over their responsibilities, sharing insights from their reign and encouraging the incoming titleholders to embrace leadership, unity, and service.
Miss World Botswana Director, Benjamin Raletsatsi, used the platform to reaffirm the organisation’s broader vision, highlighting its ambition to contribute meaningfully to Botswana’s beauty and economic sectors.
“Our aim is to make a significant impact in the billion-dollar beauty industry while ensuring we contribute to the economic landscape of beauty in Botswana. Miss Botswana is not just a pageant or a business; it is a platform for growth, innovation and national development,” he said.
Emotional tributes from the outgoing queens formed a key part of the ceremony. Second Princess Girly Kookilwe described her journey as transformative, urging the new queens to lead with compassion and unity. First Princess Selwana Motsemeng reflected on the intentional nature of her journey, crediting her support system and the opportunities afforded by the platform.
For her part, Ruth Thomas highlighted the personal growth she experienced during her reign, describing the platform as a space for learning and self-discovery.
In recognition of their service, the outgoing queens received monetary awards, with Kookilwe receiving P40,000, Motsemeng P60,000, and Thomas P150,000, having opted for a cash prize instead of the traditional vehicle.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the broader Miss Botswana team, whose collaborative efforts were credited for a successful 2025 season. As the event concluded, it signalled not just the end of one chapter, but the beginning of another, with renewed focus on empowerment, innovation, and national impact.