Larona is Miss Universe

GOTHATAONE MOENG
Staff Writer | Monday July 25, 2011 00:00

 

The 25-year-old beauty queen beat 11 hopefuls to get the coveted crown at a glittering ceremony on Saturday night. Kgabo's confidence when answering questions propelled her from the top five to the last three and eventually into a beauty queen. She ensured her place into the top three when she said that because of her inner and outer beauty and patriotism, she felt that she deserved to be this year's Miss Universe. One of the judges, former Botswana Television presenter, Kgomotso Maembulwa had asked her to explain why she felt she deserved to be crowned queen this year.

In the deciding question for all the top three contestants, Kgabo answered that her personal contribution to ensuring that the Brand Botswana mandate was achieved would be to work hand in hand with the brand team, and use the Miss Universe Botswana platform to educate people about the campaign.  She said that as an architecture graduate, she would use her skills to help the team with infrastructure development.

Perhaps it was this illustration of how she would contribute, that put her ahead of the other competitors.  However, the race had been close between her and Jacqueline Sesa, who was eventually crowned first princess. Sesa, looking resplendent in a navy blue gown with silver lining, stated that her personal contribution to achieving the Brand Botswana mandate would be to use her beauty to expose Botswana to the world and to position the country as a destination of choice through its culture and heritage.  Only second princess, Maungo Gwazai answered the question inadequately.  She hesitated for long awkward moments and seemed to have forgotten the question.  Eventually, she ventured that she would raise awareness and interest and market the country, without explaining how she would do it.

The show, organised by MosSyde Entertainment, was fantastic and ran smoothly. However, the masters of ceremony for the night, Thebe Mogapi and former Miss Botswana, Malebogo Marumoagae were at times slack in carrying out their duties.  There were instances, especially before the girls were cut down to five where the stage was empty for a long time, with no explanation from the duo.  Perhaps some of the performances, which had been crammed choc-a-bloc at the opening of the show should have been reserved for this interlude.

However, the performers, who included singers Ntirelang Berman, A.T.I, The Royal Tenors and  dancers Mabutswapele and some contestants from the Mr. Botswana and Mr. Universe Botswana pageants excelled. As Miss Universe Botswana, Kgabo's prizes include representing the country at the Miss Universe pageant later this year in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  She will get a monthly allowance of P2,000, 12-months gym membership at the G-West Fitness Centre, a laptop with free internet for the duration of her reign, groceries from Choppies, a BlackBerry phone and the chance to be the face of the 'I Am The Change' campaign. Miss Universe Botswana has partnered with the United States Embassy, and the Department of Women's Affairs in the campaign to encourage young people to be change agaents.