Send rep to Miss Universe consistently - Ramasedi

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Tuesday September 21, 2010 00:00

 

As a result, she has urged local organisers to consistently send a representative to the global pageant.  Ramasedi was only the fourth Botswana contestant in the Miss Universe finals, since Mpule Kwelagobe made history when she won the title in Trinidad and Tobago 11 years ago.  The only other contestants from Botswana have been Joyce Molemoeng in 2000, Mataila Sikwane in 2001, and Icho Keolotswe in 2004.

After that, Botswana did not send a representative until this year when local company, Mos Syde World Entertainment Group decided to breathe new life into the local edition of the pageant and send the winner to the global finals.  

Ramasedi feels Mos Syde should maintain the momentum.  'We did more than enough (in packaging Botswana to the world) considering the circumstances.  I feel we did the best we could and even exceeded our expectations. 

Enough is doing your best and exceeding the best you had in mind,' she said, adding that what they did last month was laying a foundation.

'We established relationships and I feel we should send a representative yearly to the pageant.  We are making advances as a nation and by sending a representative every year we keep learning.'  Mos Syde chief executive officer, Safie Sekgwa, who was present during the interview, said his company would ensure a representative is sent annually.

'It (not sending a representative to Miss Universe finals) won't happen again.  We are doing this to brand the nation and there is need for continuity,' Sekgwa assured.

Ramasedi shared her experiences from the finals that were held in Las Vegas, United States of America (US) and won by Miss Mexico.

'I had an interesting experience.  When you represent your country at that level there are a lot of things you need to bring across.  It's an international stage and one needs to do it in the best way possible.  Competing at that stage is something beyond words.  I also enjoyed touring Las Vegas and meeting the other contestants.' 

She added that taking part in a pageant of that nature comes along with so many challenges, but singles out knowing one's identity as the key to avoiding stage fright and other pressures.

Her heart's desire is to impact the lives of teenagers in line with national Vision 2016.

'I'll be working with Form Four and Form Five students because they are our future leaders,' she added. 

Ramasedi led a UNDP Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) walk in the capital at the weekend.