Seneo Mabengano crowned Miss Botswana 2015/2016
Sharon Mathala | Friday October 2, 2015 18:00
Miss Botswana contestants looked fabulous that night, rocking outfits by local designers, among them Aobakwe Molosiwa of Gilded Sands, Switch Couture, Thaby D and Black Trash. Thaby D scooped The Best Designer Award.
The choreography, unlike the past few years, was superb, showing that whoever was engaged as the choreographer did a splendid job. Arts and Culture, however, noticed that although the organisers paid attention to detail, cracks started to show at the last minute, during the crowning of the queen.
The crowd that had gathered at one of Gaborone’s premier venues, Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC), seemed a bit disappointed when the beauty queen was announced.
When the night came to an end, many were shocked to see Miss Botswana 1995, Monica Somolekae, crowning the new queen instead of the outgoing queen, Keofitlhetse, who did not even attend the event. Traditionally, the outgoing queen crowns the in-coming one.
When asked why Keofitlhetse did not crown Mabengano, Miss Botswana media director, Tshepo Maphanyane, said: “It is not our issue what happened with the previous pageants. We are here to make a change.”
Maphanyane fielded questions during a press conference that followed the crowning of the queen.
When quizzed by Arts and Culture if they had invited the outgoing Miss Botswana, Maphanyane said: “We invited everyone, whether someone decided to honour the invite is not our problem, we cannot follow everyone.
“It is not the norm that a former queen should hand over to her successor. What we have done has never been done before as we are trying to be innovative,” she said.
When Arts and Culture put it to the organisers if they do not see it as somewhat controversial to have a Limkokwing student as the new queen they said “we do not know if it’s a good enough decision, but if Botswana Council of Women (BCW) is happy and it’s their decision, there is nothing that can be done.”
The new queen was given a chance about her ‘Beauty With A Purpose’ project, which she is expected to present at the Miss World pageant.
“My project is called ‘They Need Us’. It will basically identify abandoned children and nurture them.
“The project will be based at the Princess Marina Hospital and I have already started. I am very passionate about children and I hope this project will benefit many children and change their lives for the better,” she said.
Mabengano also said she is confident that her project will land her the ‘Beauty With A Purpose’ award at the final stage in China.
The prize giving ceremony for Miss Botswana will be held on October 9, where Mabengano will walk away P100,000 richer.
Nicole Gaelebale scooped second position, while Peggy Grynberg took third position.
Miss Personality went to the First Princess Gaelebale, with Neo Sebogodi winning the Miss Athlete title. The Second Princess, Grynberg also walked away with the Top Model award.