Segolame � epitome of Botswana culture
Thato Kala | Friday May 2, 2014 14:31
At least now she knows pluming in her culture can actually earn her a prize in an international competition after she won the Best Style accolade recently. This was in the Top Model of The World pageant held in Cairo. Apart from the Best Style recognition, she finished third out of 42 models.
“I needed to embody something unique when I went to Egypt, something that would cause people to easily pick me out of the crowd. So I plaited singles, which I felt were more African,” she says. And her complete African attire – a dress with a seditsi dangling on the side – fascinated the organisers and fellow contestants.
“They came up to me and told me my style was unique and no one could take that away from me,” she says. From conversing with her, it is clear she has passion for and knowledge about her culture. She is well aware she won the judges’ favour because of her unique presentation. As if to emphasise approval of her unique look, the young and vibrant model was named Face of Botswana Culture and Design Week.
Growing up all was not well. Her dream to represent the country in an international pageant one day seemed to elude her for some time.
“I was passionate about modelling when I was young, but I could not follow my dream because my background did not allow me. We could not afford the dresses and all,” she says. She would watch and only wish, but her limitations were enough to stop her from contesting. Her dreams began to shape up in 2011 when she met Julia Tsele while at tertiary school.
“She had experience in the industry and I used to ask her if I had potential because I doubted it,” she says. Tsele then advised her to take up some training with First Models Training School in Phakalane. But that also had to be put on ice until she was done with her tertiary education. “When I started working that was the first thing I did because I could now afford it,” she explains. She continued doing shows with the same agency, but the utmost dream remained seeing herself on an international ramp. Trickles of success began to come her way, as she made the Miss Global finalists cut. And learning that the organiser of the pageant had three licences was enough inspiration for her to rise up and try out something new. Regular internet surfing led to her discovery of the Top of the World Model, which was not there in Botswana.
“I enquired and I was told they had no licence in Botswana. I decided to take the responsibility and become the first model to represent my country,” says a determined Kudumedi.
She auditioned with World of Beauty, who are responsible for Miss Inter-continental and Top Model of The World pageants and was chosen to represent the country. Her journey to Egypt was not short of challenges with a franchise fee and travel expenses to be paid for. After knocking on countless doors in search of a sponsor for her trip and not getting any help, she instead organised Mr and Miss Valentine at Tsholofelo Hall in February. “The money I made was not enough, but it was a step in the right direction,” she says.
All that is history now with the Gouna experience that included a first-time flight, going to the Red Sea, photo shoots, filming, boat cruise and horseback riding overshadowing the pre-competition anxiety.
“It was my first time to go to the sea. I really had fun there,” she adds.
The Maboane-born Kudumedi adds that the exposure she got from organising the February event was invaluable and vows it will be put to good use when she organises the Top of the World 2015 Botswana edition.
Her aim is to take the new pageant to another level when she introduces it to the country. While she may not have won it, she says she will prepare Botswana’s next representative the best way possible. In fact, she says an African has never won the crown and her ambition is to see a Motswana bringing it home. She reckons Botswana failing in such international pageants is because locals tend to start the trade at a late stage. As a freelance model, she has been involved in several modelling and fashion engagements including the 2012 Models and Designers Battle Show, the 2013 Model Meet Designer Fashion Show, ads for Edgars and Stuttafords, as well as the 2013 The Voice Girls Run The World Party.
United Kingdom-based magazine Black And Bold featured her in their current edition. She draws inspiration from supermodel Uluchi Onweagba. The Nigerian won rights to run the African format for hit reality TV show competition America’s Next Top Model.
“I love people who love to give back to their country and continent,” says Kudumedi. She singles out the opening ceremony in Egypt as the most memorable moment of her life.
“Some people came with their families, but at that moment I was the only Motswana there,” she says.
Her favourite dish is Ledombi and beef stew. Kudumedi, the only girl in a family of four, says her other passions are fashion and travelling.