Macheng's tough task ahead of Miss Universe contest

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Staff Writer | Saturday May 18, 2013 00:00

 

So Botswana's representative at the international competition, Tsaone Macheng who was only crowned Miss Universe Botswana a fortnight ago needs to show good commitment, dedication and sacrifice to achieve her goal of being the second Motswana to bring the crown home. The 22-year-old has admitted she has not had time to celebrate her win as the main focus is now on the big prize.

'The competition is coming in November and there is very little time to prepare.  I have not been that interested in Miss Universe before until I entered, so there is a lot of research to be done and very little time to rest,' she said. Ironically Macheng has never entered any beauty contest.  She did not want to enter the Miss Universe Botswana pageant and only relented after a lot of effort to convince her to participate by the show's promoters, who had met her at one of the Gaborone restaurants.

'I was having coffee with a friend of mine when some guys came and asked me if I wanted to audition for the competition and I said no.  They took my contacts and persisted until I decided to give it a go,' she explained. Months leading to the final would prove more challenging for the young woman.  She found some of the tasks just too difficult and she contemplated quitting.

'At some stage, I was tempted to pull out because I felt I could not even walk properly like other girls.  The morning before the final, I was such a mess.

I cannot even explain how I felt.  I had all these questions in my mind.  It was a spiritual battle for me because I am a woman of faith.  I doubted myself and then I remembered that if God did not want me to be here, I would have not entered in the first place.  But once I went on stage, I gained the confidence and I stood my ground,' she said.

Although she would be venturing into unknown territory, Macheng is confident of doing well and says the only thing that could stop her is herself.  'I have decided to take a year off my studies to concentrate on fulfilling my role as Miss Universe Botswana and try to win the real Miss Universe title,' she said.