Lorato 'Lala' Tebogo; Miss Botswana 2005

NDABA NKOMO | Friday September 3, 2010 00:00

Tebogo : I was very excited as I had just realised one of my most passionate dreams. Naturally, I was proud of my achievement, and had made my friends and family proud too. It was surreal.

Mmegi: What value did this experience add to your life, considering you had to suspend your studies for a year?

Tebogo:I was out of school for a lot longer than a year, two and a half years to be precise. I can without a doubt say that is the period that I was moulded into the woman I am today. I faced a lot of challenges, and on the other hand got a lot of rewards. All of a sudden I was not a girl anymore, but a young woman with a nation's trust and high expectations on my shoulders.

Mmegi: Do you have any regrets?

Tebogo: Not for a second. Like I said before, I believe I'm the best woman I can possibly be today because of that experience.

Mmegi: You participated in the Miss World Pageant in Poland. Tell us about that experience.

Tebogo: It's one of my most memorable and most cherished experiences. I made friends in Warsaw that have come to be some of my closest friends. I joined every fast track competition, interacted with all the girls, attended every event, went on every trip and more. In short, I had the time of my life. 

Mmegi: If you could change anything about that part of your life what would it be?

Tebogo: Absolutely nothing. 

Mmegi: There are always rumours and perceptions about beauty pageants having to win through 'carpet' interviews or in exchange for sexual favours. What are your views on that?

Tebogo: I have heard such rumours, and if at all such exchanges did in fact take place, it would be a pity. It would mean that the credibility and integrity of those involved is lacking, and since pageantry is about being role models and inspiring younger generations we would not want to go down that route.

Mmegi: Have you heard of any such experiences from some of your friends in Botswana and abroad?

Tebogo :Accusations are always flying around, and rumours are always circulating. Whether or not they are true is another matter.

Mmegi: What were your thoughts about Miss Botswana before you entered the competition and now?

Tebogo : I honestly had a very idealistic perception of the title prior to my winning. I imagined it would be all glitz and glamour, just the way we see beauty queens portrayed on television. That was only half of it. In reality, in Botswana, there are hardships to reckon with, and this is the half that people don't get to see. The struggle for sponsorships, the attaining of prizes and the management of relationships are only a few of the challenges I met. Having said that, I appreciated the latter events more because in the end they gave me strength and character, and showed me who my real friends are.   Mmegi: Given a chance would you do it again?

Tebogo : Without a moment's hesitation.

Mmegi: Can you please compare and contrast Miss Botswana then and now?

Tebogo :The pageant is still the same in what it offers to young women, which is an opportunity and a platform to be a positive instrument for Botswana within and outside the country. It is also still the platform that showcases a unique perspective to the beauty of Botswana. The most obvious difference is that the prizes have, through the years, gotten bigger as we see more sponsors coming forward.

Mmegi: What can be done to improve it in your view?

Tebogo: I have always believed that if one is to join in on somebody else's game, they must adhere to the existing rules of the game. If not, they must start their own game where they can come up with their own rules. We must adhere to weight, height, age, and all other requirements if we are to compete and not simply participate at international pageants. This means that right from our initial point of selection to the last, these requirements must be considered and in fact, imposed. Mmegi: Looking back, what are your views on young models that want to take modelling as a life career?

Tebogo: The industry can make or break you, and a strong family background and sound morals always help. We have seen young ladies who were on the verge of a great future take the wrong turn and end up in what I can best describe as 'uncomfortable' situations. Also, because of the short- lived nature of the industry, education can never be overrated or oversold, it's an absolute must have. 

Mmegi: Are you still a model? If so share with our readers what you have been involved with lately in that path. If not tell us why.

Tebogo: I'm not a model any more. I'm behind the scenes now, I'm the teacher. For the past three years I have been the choreographer for Miss Botswana. I basically teach the girls how to walk, pose, what to wear, what music to walk to and such.

Mmegi: How was life after your reign as Miss Botswana?

Tebogo: Nothing really changes afterwards. Once a Miss Botswana, always a Miss Botswana. That is why one is never a 'former' Miss Botswana; a common mistake, but is always referred to by her year of reign, and by that token I will forever be Miss Botswana 2005. You have propelled yourself into the minds of the nation, but you can never erase yourself or whatever you leave behind. I still get the same treatment I got then, positive and negative. 

Mmegi: Did you struggle to fit back into society?

Tebogo : No, I did not.

Mmegi: How so?

Tebogo: I never left the society, so I had no problem with fitting 'back'. I still kept the same friends and did the things I enjoyed doing before I was Miss Botswana so I had no reconnection problems.

Mmegi: What are you currently involved in career wise?

Tebogo: I'm currently a Public Relations Practitioner. 

Mmegi: What do you enjoy most about it?

Tebogo: PR is my chosen career, and something that I discovered along the way I have a natural talent for. Managing perceptions is something that we all do in our everyday lives, some consciously, some unconsciously, and some are better at it than others. I also love the team I work with, they are such creative, out of the box thinkers and they inspire me. Every morning I look forward to my day at work and know it will be different from the previous one.

Mmegi: What are you currently reading?

Tebogo: Funny enough, I'm currently reading a book called Slide-ology; the Art and Science of Great Presentations, by Nancy Duarte. I guess I don't have to explain what it's about.

Mmegi: Are you seeing anyone at the moment? How is the relationship?

Tebogo : I am seeing someone at the moment, and he has come to be my rock and my inspiration. He's a very special person.

Mmegi: What advise can you give upcoming models that want to follow in your footsteps?

Tebogo: First, get an education, you will need it. Then, know everything you need to know about the trade you want to get into, and this doesn't only apply to modelling or pageantry. Lastly, get into it for the right reasons because that's the only way you will ever get complete fulfilment out of it, with or without the challenges.