Miss Botswana urged to collaborate
Sunday, September 03, 2023 | 200 Views |
Miss Selebi-Phikwe finalists
Mbise stated in an interview with Arts and Culture that it is difficult for the pageantry industry to support the reigning beauty queens in their regions. He also said Miss Botswana ought to use local organisations at the regional level to stage pageants in order to expand the pageantry and include contestants from every part of the country in the overall national pageant. He argued that doing so would encourage diversity and even help to develop beauty queens since, after competing in the national pageant in an effort to advance to Miss World, they would have a greater profile. Mbise argued that for a candidate to join Miss Botswana, they should be able to enter and win local competition. For instance, he added, "as part of nurturing their talents, the queen should be able to represent the region at Miss Botswana after competing at Miss Selebi-Phikwe."
He suggested that Miss Botswana should adjust to the Miss Rural Area Development Programme (RADP) pageantry, which aims to enhance young people's lives and discover potential in rural areas. He said other reigning queens from the region might remain important if the idea is embraced. He added that local pageant queens typically keep their titles but disappear without a trace. Mbise stated that the Miss Selebi-Phikwe grand finale will take place on September 15 at the Hotel Selebi.
When claims of such gravity are made, especially by a sitting Assistant Minister they cannot be brushed aside, delayed, or treated as routine political noise. Even the Ombudsman has confirmed receipt of a report from a political party and a review of these complaints is now underway. That is a necessary first step. But it is only the beginning. The seriousness of the allegations demands urgency, transparency and clarity. The public is entitled to...