Sefhako is miss independence

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Monday September 27, 2010 00:00

 

The first princess is Dimakatso Gopane, while the second princess is Lebogang McIntyre. Speaking in an interview after the show, Sefhako said she did not expect to win because the competition was tough.  Moreover the other contestants were more experienced than her, she said. 'I am so happy.  I never expected to make it,' she said. 

Atlhough she had participated in beauty competitions before, Sefhako, who hails from Kasane, said this was the first major pageant she had entered.  But it was her confidence that won her the day.  Sefhako and her two princesses answered the questions that were posed by the judges confidently.  They were also eloquent in Setswana. 

The top three contestants impressed the judges and everyone else in the manner in which they articulated issues.  They seemed to have ready-made answers for every question fired at them especially about Setswana culture. It was amazing to see such young people who are so proud of their culture. 

As one of the organisers of the pageant, Koketsi Moremi, put it, Miss Independence Botswana is all about preserving the Setswana culture.  The Setswana theme ran throughout the pageant.  For a change, the contestants were asked questions in Setswana. 

Even part of the menu included Setswana cuisine. The guests were also served traditional brew. Traditional dancing troupes also performed at the pageant.

The contestants paraded in traditional attire as well.  The 10 contestants came from places like Maun, Kasane, Gantsi, Mahalapye, Kopong, Manyana and Lerala. 

The queen walked away with prizes worth P50,000.  This included P5,000 cash.  Part of her prizes will include spending two nights at the Cresta Lodge with a partner. There is also one-year free medical care treatment from the Bongaka Health Care for the top three contestants.Sefhako will also get a four-burner stove from Furnmart.

The cash prize for the first princess is P3,500 but there are also hampers for her.  As for the second princess, she will get P2,500 as well some hampers. 

There were also individual awards.  Gopane, the first princess had earlier walked away with the Miss Confidence and Miss Best Gown awards.  Seneo Sesenyi scooped the Miss Best Smile award. Nomsa Goitseone landed the Miss Personality and Miss Talent awards.   The Miss Photogenic award went to McIntyre who was later declared the second princess. Speaking in an interview, the Miss Independence Botswana 2009/10, Lorato Lenamile said she enjoyed her reign. She was mostly involved in charity projects. However, Lenamile said she could not get some projects going due to lack of sponsorship.  She said this was the challenge that she was faced with. But Lenamile said she had received all her prizes.        

One of the organisers, Moremi hailed the Saturday event as a success.  She said this year's event was bigger than last year's.  Moremi said even the attendance at the pageant was higher.  She was impressed that the youth turned up for the pageant in large numbers. She said this time they started the show on schedule.  Moremi said they had received good support for the pageant.   

Some of their main sponsors include the Department of Youth and Culture, which funded the pageant.  Another big sponsor was Fairground Holdings who provided the venue, while Central Transport Organisation (CTO) sponsored the pageant with transport. 

But there were several other sponsors who were involved in the pageant.     

The master of ceremonies during the Saturday pageant was Mokaragana presenter, Joel Keitumele, who is popularly known as 'Ntsoro'.  Ntsoro entertained the guests throughout the night with his humour.   But the top three contestants had the last laugh when they told the judges that they could speak Setswana better than him. 

This is the third time the Miss Independence Botswana pageant has been staged. It was held for the first time in 2008.  Prior to hosting Miss Independence Botswana, the youthful organisers used to stage the Miss Independence Tlokweng pageant.  

But the young Moremi can do with a bit of public relations. She will have to learn that you do not abandon an interview to attend to your parents.