Miss Independence 2017 promotes culture
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Thursday June 29, 2017 15:13
One of those committed to preserving culture is a young woman who goes by the name, Gaonyafelwe Phuti. Phuti who is the director of Miss Independence 2017 beauty pageant has decided to use the beauty pageant as a platform that would promote and preserve culture.
Phuti told Showbiz that she has decided to focus on Setswana culture because she has realised that the youth have abandoned their culture. She said she has decided to promote culture through the use of the rich Setswana language and games.
“This pageant will strictly be focused on Setswana culture. We are going to speak Setswana and all the contestants will have a chance to use mainane, diane, dithamalakane and traditional games. I want them to be able to teach the revelers the beauty of our culture. Just like the first president of this country said, I believe that a nation without culture is a lost nation,” she said.
Phuti who has hosted a number of beauty pageants locally over the past few years said that the aim of the pageant is to teach the youth and children Setswana language and games so that they do not disappear with the old folk. She explained that nowadays it is rare to hear the youth more especially in town (Gaborone) speaking Setswana or seeing children play traditional games such as koi, dibeke, seifi and others.
She further explained that unlike many beauty pageants, Miss Independence 2017 does not have restrictions, as it is open for all Batswana women from 18 to 35 years of age. She said all women of different body sizes, either they have tattoos or children are allowed to enter the competition. She also called on women from different corners of this country to partake on the auditions that would be held in Gaborone’s President Hotel on Saturday from 8am till 5pm.
“We encourage all interested individuals to bring their national identity cards so that we can be able to verify that they are Batswana and are of required ages. We want people who speak Setswana fluently. Registration fee is P250 and is not refundable,” she said.
She added that they would choose 20 young women who will battle for the crown at the grand finale on September 23, 2017 at Cresta Lodge.