Wareus Proves Her Mettle

Staff Writer | Monday November 1, 2010 00:00

 

Miss Botswana, Emma Wareus has finished second behind American, Alexandria Mills at the prestigious world beauty pageant held in Sanya, China on Saturday. Wareus was among the 115 beauty queens from different countries who contested the 60th edition of the Miss World competition. The 20-year-old was crowned first princess ahead of 113 contestants. Venezuela's Andriana Vasini was crowned second princess to enhance her country's enviable record at the event. Venezuelan beauties have won the Miss World title a number of times.

So far, Wareus is the best Botswana performer in the annual competition. She was crowned Miss Botswana in May at GICC in her second attempt. Last year, she finished second to Sumaiyah Marope in the Miss Botswana contest.

The 115 beauties were cut to 20, leaving only contestants from Paraguay, St Lucia, Netherlands, Canada, France, Bahamas, Columbia, Russia, Thailand, South Africa, Mongolia, French Polynesia, Scotland, Venezuela, Namibia, Italy, United State of America, Germany, China and Botswana. The queens were then reduced to seven with contestants from Italy, Norway, United States, Botswana, Ireland, Venezuela and China making the cut. By coming second, Wareus came close to matching Mpule Kwelagobe, who lifted the Miss Universe title in 1999.

One of the Miss Botswana organisers, Thapelo Pabalinga of Leap Frog congratulated Wareus for her performance saying that she made the country proud. The organisers contracted by the Miss Botswana licence holders, Botswana Council of Women (BCW) have made an undertaking to improve the pageant by changing its image and making sure that they send competitive young women to the world stage. They have vowed that they will make sure that the Botswana contestant gets the title or at least reaches the top five in the Miss World event. Pabalinga said Wareus was the best and deserved the world title. He asserted that becoming the first princess is still a big achievement for Wareus. 'This is a perfect example that Botswana has a lot of talent, and Wareus' win has set the pace, giving Botswana recognition at Miss World,' he said.

Pabalinga said Wareus' feat makes it easier for Botswana to bid for hosting the Miss World.

'We are going to start pushing for Botswana to host Miss World. I really believe that we can do a good job in hosting the pageant, and now that Wareus has made it to the top two, it will be easier to negotiate for hosting the pageant,' he said. BCW contracted Leap Frog and 63 Entertainment to run Miss Botswana for five years. The contract is in its second year.