New Miss Botswana Pledges To Make A Difference

By Lekopanye Mooketsi
Correspondent | Monday December 17, 2007 00:00

 

Kgomotso says she is a shy girl and winning Miss Botswana is a big challenge for her.

Kgomotso hates drinking and she is not a party animal. 'I hate drinking. I do not like what other teenagers are doing at weekends,' says the 18-year-old beauty queen. She enjoys staying home and watching television with her siblings. 'I do occasionally go out with my friends but I don't like partying.'

Kgomotso says being Miss Botswana means she will be so busy serving the people that she would have no time for relationships as having a boyfriend is not among her priorities. 

The University of Botswana (UB) first year Humanities student (Public Administration), describes herself as a smart girl who jumped Standard Seven. After completing her Standard Six in Zimbabwe, she went straight to secondary school on her return to Botswana. Kgomotso grew up in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, where her father was a diplomat. She recalls that she had a happy childhood.

When she ran for the Miss Botswana title, it was her first time to enter a beauty pageant. But it was not her original plan to compete, as she was encouraged by family members and friends who told her to go for it because she had 'what it takes'.

She says initially she was reluctant to take the plunge. When she finally decided to enter the race, Kgomotso says she never imagined she would emerge victorious. 'The least I expected was a consolation prize because there were many of us competing. So when I was declared the winner, I was so overwhelmed (that) I even cried on stage. It was emotional. To crown it all my mother was also there, I was very excited,' she says.

But winning is not going to make her big headed because she wants to be a role model for the youth, she says.

As Miss Botswana, Kgomotso would also like to be a true representative of her country.  'I would like to take my country to great heights. I am going to do my best.'

She says she would like to make a difference because previous winners all seemed to concentrate on HIV/AIDS projects. As a result, one of the projects that she would like to work on is to build an old people's home or hospice. Little is being done for the elderly because everyone seems preoccupied with HIV/AIDS and youth projects. 'We learn a lot from the elderly. They teach us about the spirit of botho. We need to show gratitude by building a home for them.'

Kgomotso says even if she does not complete the project during her reign, she would like to raise funds for the venture. She also intends to work with people with disabilities. 

She is so determined to serve that there will be no Christmas break for her in the sense that instead of being home and rejoicing with other family members, she will be out, handing over presents to elderly people across the country. 

Only recently Kgomotso accompanied Vice President Seretse Khama Ian Khama on a tour of Kanye where he addressed Kgotla meetings. She says she was able to interact with people and to say a few words of encouragement. Kgomotso says what impressed her about the meeting was that the youth came out in large numbers.

She says she learnt much from her interaction with members of the community. Kgomotso says she also liked the Vice President's approach of calling on members of the communities to share their concerns with him.

This week she was expected to tour the northern parts of the country with the Vice President. Kgomotso feels that as a youth, she can learn many things from leaders like Khama.

Meanwhile, the prizes for Miss Botswana were presented on Friday. As part of her prizes, Kgomostso was presented with a sparkling P42, 000 diamond necklace which was sponsored by a diamond company, Motiganz. She would not have to worry about communicating with others as Orange presented her with one-year contract cell phone. Standard Chartered Bank has opened a diva account for her with a deposit of P2, 500. During her reign, Kgomotso will also be receiving monthly allowance of P1, 000 from Motiganz. Her looks would also be taken care of by Nail Tech, which would do her facial massage and nail manicure.

Hair Fantasy would do her hair for the whole year. She also received P2, 000 from the Botswana Council of Women (BCW).

The princesses were each given P200 plus P100 airtime from Orange. The second princess also received a 54 cm colour television from Homecorp and DVD player. The first princess was given a 74 colour television and DVD player from Homecorp.  

Contestants on top 17, were presented with hampers from Sunslik including branded bags and merchandise from Orange. The contestants were also presented with P200 vouchers from Topline.

In addition to the above prizes, contestants who proceeded to top 10, received cell phones from Orange while those who made to top six were given P600 cash. Kgomotso says she has been disturbed by recent allegations that the Miss Botswana results were manipulated in her favour. She feels the contestants who are making such accusations are being unfair, adding that in any competition, there is only one winner.

Kgomotso does not know why she is being singled out because during the rehearsals she got on well with everyone. 'I interacted with the other girls and I was friendly. It is very disturbing. I even thought of quitting and handing over the crown. 'I think the competition was fair and I feel I deserved the prize because I worked hard,' she said.