Botswana hosts Miss Elegance 2017 international beauty pageant

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday August 22, 2017 16:15

When addressing the media on Thursday, the pageant coordinator and founder Harry Singh Dhaliwal said the pageant was borne out of the fact that there is a lot of beauty, elegance, fashion and glamour in the country which was not appreciated and not developed for international exposure.

He explained that the beauty, elegance, fashion and glamour industry contributed immensely to the development and advancement of many economies throughout the world. He added that it was that industry that had given impetus to the establishment and growth of beauty, cosmetic and hair care manufacturing industries. “Collectively, this global industry is estimated to be more than US$40 billion annually. To this end rather than just be consumers of products produced elsewhere and attending events held in North America, Europe and Asia, it is prudent that Botswana begins to organise and host world class events for promotion of the beauty, elegant fashion and glamour in the local industry,” he said.

Dhaliwal explained that Expression Way (Pty) Ltd company led by him and his partner recognised that gap in the system and decided to give young people a unique platform to showcase their beauty and personalities. He added that it was the long-term goal of that project to produce world-class superstars that could hold their position in the global entertainment industry. He said the coming of the pageant will consolidate the celebration of beauty and elegance, which were part of Setswana culture and add an international and commercial dimension to it.

He said the pageant was open for all young people aged between 18 to 26 years of any nationality. Only single people are allowed to partake in the beauty pageant.

For his part, the patron of the pageant Alfred Madigele said the pageant will be open to all aspiring Botswana citizens as well as foreign citizens. He said it was meant to enhance competition as well as cultural exchange and development.

“As the project develops, it will provide synergy with tourism and hospitality sectors so that we increase in-bound tourism in the country. It is the intension of the organisers to use the event as a springboard to attract global superstars to come to Botswana as a way of raising the profile of the country,” he noted.

Madigele added that it was the intention of the organisers to work closely with manufacturers of beauty products and fashion designers to exhibit at the event with a view to enhance employment creation. He explained that the pageant was the beginning of greater things to come in future.

According to Thea Khama, she found it imperative to support the pageant because she felt it would give the youth an opportunity to showcase their talent and could grow the tourism sector of this country. She added that the pageant was going to promote beauty around the world. The pageant will take place at the University of Botswana Indoor Sports Centre from October 27 till 28 this year where the grand finale will be on October 28 from 5pm till 11pm. However, during that week there will be auditions and other build up events to the main event. Grand prize is P100,000 and a diamond while the first princess will win P50,000 and a diamond and the second princess P25,000 and a diamond.