Miss Earth Botswana pageant in crying need of sponsorship

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Thursday August 26, 2010 00:00

Only the top four contestants were given prizes.  Whilst in other local pageants the queen receives mouth-watering prizes, Miss Earth Botswana 2010, Onalenna Gaopalelwe only received a paltry P3,000 and an opportunity to represent Botswana at the international Miss Earth pageant to be held in Vietnam in November.

Her princesses, Kgomotso Ramaloko (Miss Air), Lerato Lenamile (Miss Water) and Tshepiso Moseki (Mss Fire) pocketed P2, 500, P1, 500 and P750 each respectively whilst other contestants walked away empty-handed. 

Barrows explained that it was never their intention to send other contestants away empty-handed but due to their diminutive budget it was unavoidable.  She has, however,  assured that if they secure sponsorship the contestants would receive their consolation prizes.  'Even though it is not stipulated in our contract to do so, we feel it is only right to give them something to encourage them as models,' she said.

Barrows said currently they are negotiating with various local companies for sponsorship. She said that the Department of Youth has so far shown promise, but would not mention other companies since negotiations were at an early stage.  In a related development, former Miss Earth Botswana, Tumisang Sebina was unable to compete in the international pageant last year due to her height.  Sebina did not meet the 1.64m Miss Earth minimum height requirement forcing organisers to change the local pageant rules this time around, rejecting anyone below the required height. 'This was to ensure that Botswana is represented internationally this year,' said Barrows. 'We have tried everything this year to ensure that our contestant goes to the international Miss Earth pageant but if at all due to circumstances beyond anyone's control she is unable to do so, she will be given P10,000 in consolation just like Sebina,' she added.

Meanwhile, Gaopalelwe is expected to do some environment-related projects ahead of the grand finale in November.  It is envisaged that she will work hand in hand with her princesses although they too have got specific duties during their reign. Barrows said a Miss Earth queen does not only have to possess height or beauty but she also has to possess good communication skills to make her a good ambassador for her country and the environment.

When answering a question, 'Speed kills. Why is this message important to you as an Earth ambassador?' posed by the judges during the pageant at Maitisong on Saturday, Gaopalelwe said that road accidents cause soil contamination and at times veldt fires. She said that road accidents also take away important people's lives, 'people who can take care of the environment'.

'Debris and spills contribute to environmental pollution,' she said.