Tirelo Celebrates 'Hectic' first week in US

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Monday August 16, 2010 00:00

Simmons is also the founder of the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF), a non-profit establishment that aims to raise money to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations.

At Simmons' offices, Ramasedi met the executive director of DEF, Ellen Haddigan.

'The meeting was orchestrated by a young Motswana gentleman who works for Simmons, Lesego Matlhware,' said Safie Sekgwa, director of Miss Universe Botswana.  Sekgwa said Russells offered Ramasedi a green bracelet created by Simmons Jewellery Company as part of his Miss Universe Botswana endorsement.  He said that the bracelet symbolises and helps support the efforts of the DEF.

'One of Ramasedi's mandates is to promote and market Botswana diamonds.  She also paid a courtesy call to the De Beers Group marketing office in New York,' he said.

Ramasedi left Botswana on August 3 ahead of the Miss Universe pageant to be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Centre in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on August 23.

She did not immediately proceed to Vegas on her arrival as she made a stopover in New York where apart from meeting Simmons, she paid a courtesy call to the office of Botswana's permanent mission to the United Nations. 

A luncheon was organised for Ramasedi and she was able to meet acting Ambassador of Botswana to the United Nations, Tapiwa Mongwa, first secretary for economic and financial affairs, Dimpho Tsiane, and other members of staff who wished her well in her endeavour to win the crown.In a Facebook interview, Ramasedi described her first week in the US as 'hectic'. She, however, said she is glad to have met Simmons and feels it an honour to have had a luncheon organised by the Botswana representatives in the US.

'I have also met up with Batswana living in the US and they have been very supportive,' she said.Ramasedi joined other Miss Universe 2010 finalists from across the world on Sunday in Las Vegas.  She said that she is excited particularly because she shares a room with another Motswana-Norwegain girl, Melinda Elvenes who is representing Norway.

'She is a great person to be around,' she said.

Batswana throughout the world are encouraged to go online at www.missuniverse.com and give Ramasedi a five star rating to raise her chances of winning the coveted crown.