MYSC to take over Miss Botswana
Sharon Mathala | Wednesday May 11, 2016 15:10
Olopeng is expected to have a one on one meeting with all the Miss Botswana queens as far back as 1966 tomorrow at the Cresta President Hotel in Gaborone. “My ministry is looking into revamping the Miss Botswana Pageant event. We have approached Botswana Council Women (BCW) and have proposed to head the pageant and set an example,” said Olopeng.
“We will be handling not only the event, but the whole project for the next two years,” the minister confirmed.
Olopeng particularly expressed displeasure over the way the Miss Botswana pageant has been handled over the past few years. He said apart from the prizes that have sometimes been reported to have failed, the pageant also has other projects that are a build-up to the Miss World, which are usually abandoned.
“Most of the queens often come to our offices complaining that they do not have funds to carry out other projectS that are necessary at the final stage. This did not sit well with us because it is not just about the event in Gaborone. It goes all the way when the winner finally participates on the world stage,” Olopeng explained.
Olopeng further explained that there are some privileges that the reigning queen should have like a decent house and a car, some of which previous Miss Botswana queens did not get.
“I am not talking about a double storey or a mansion, just a decent house and car that the queen can use. Being crowned Miss Botswana should be a big deal and hence we should treat them as such,” he emphasised.
“These are some of the things that will change as we take over the pageant,” Olopeng promised.
Olopeng is expected to exchange ideas with the past Miss Botswana queens on how they could assist his Ministry in advocating for behavioural change amongst the youth.
Olopeng said the women are celebrated countrywide and will assist in guiding the often “forgotten” girl child on behavioural change.