Ngwako is Miss Earth Botswana
MMOLOKI MARUMO
Correspondent
| Tuesday July 29, 2008 00:00
Limkokwing University student, Nametso Ngwako, has been crowned Miss Earth Botswana 2008. Dimakatso Gopane, Lucia Matlhatsa and Seneo Sesinyi were proclaimed Miss Earth Botswana Air (first runner-up), Miss Earth Botswana Water (second runner-up), Miss Earth Botswana Fire (third runner-up) respectively.
Miss Earth Botswana competitions were held at Maitisong (Maruapula) in Gaborone last Saturday. The competition was meant to decide the winner who will then represent Botswana in the forthcoming Miss Earth 2008. Miss Earth, the third most popular beauty pageant in the world after Miss World and Miss Universe, is devoted to the single cause: Our environment and future of mother earth. The pageant serves as a vehicle for environmental advocacy.
Miss Earth Botswana was selected from 12 beauties who braved the evening chill in a bid to parade on the world stage. Despite signs of poor preparations and planning that continue to plague the entertainment fraternity like poor music systems and performers taking too long to get on stage, the pageant was a marvel in every respect. The contestants did all there was to do to win the hearts of the audience who thronged the venue, but unfortunately only one contestant made it to Miss Earth 2008.
As an introductory performance, the 'Beautiful Dozen' took to the stage at once and switched to their dancing costumes. The young queens put up a breathtaking performance, which did not go unrecognised as the thrilled audience treated them to a loud applause. From the performance it was plain that the judges were going to have a tough time deciding the winner.The young women did not showcase only their looks and body conformation but also their culture.
The first main performance of the night featured the beauties parading one after the other in traditional attire holding props that depicted Setswana cultural items like baskets, leselo, and lefeelo.The second main performance marked the beginning of heightened tension. This time they paraded in long gowns (German prints) of assorted colours and types. This was certainly no moment to be missed by anyone as almost everyone craned his or her neck for a better view of the unfolding scene. It was quite apparent that the young women had so much confidence in the sheer splendour of their bodies as they swayed in rhythm to the music.Contestants could be seen freely trembling and heaving as the top six contenders were announced. The top six contenders were Nametso Ngwako, Dimakatso Gopane, Lucia K.Matlhatsa, Seneo Sesenyi, Koketso Moremi and Tlhatlogo Sengawane. It was evident through their fading smiles and the manner in which they left the podium that the unfortunate contestants did not expect to be eliminated so prematurely. They abandoned their rehearsed and exaggerated cat walks as they left the stage literally with their heads down.
It was after the top four contestants had been nominated that much of the audience started falling in love with little Ngwako. The top four teams comprised Ngwako, Gopane, Matlhatsa and Sesinyi. From top six to top four stages the winner was decided by answering questions posed by some prominent citizens like Gaborone City mayor, Harry Mothei. It was at this stage of the competition that Ngwako did exceptionally well to outwit her opponents and emerge victorious.Like last year, Gofa Designs dressed the contenders.
The pageant featured such famous artistes like Thulaganyo Gaerobale popular knows Thulie and Mpho kalayamotho, more affectionately known as 'VS'. The duo nearly stole the show with their thrilling performances.