They would get together whilst finding ways to make a positive impact in the lives of fellow underprivileged women. When addressing the gathering at the High Tea All White event hosted at the restaurant on Saturday, former Miss Millennium 2009 Phodiso Seloilwe, said the pageantry taught her a lot. She said it was through it that she became confident in herself and was able to speak confidently before the public. She also said she was able to wear a confident smile and knew she was beautiful and had a great body. She is one of Miss Millennium founders. “One day we were sitting under a tree here with Shima Monageng (owner of Millennium Jazz Restaurant) and others enjoying music but we felt that we had to do something different, something that would attract many more elderly women and bring us together. After brainstorming a few ideas we decided to host a beauty pageant but we agreed it should be for women aged 40 and above. We wanted to do something different for the community. We started off with nothing and I am glad that our pageantry has grown immensely over the years,” she stated.
For her part, the pageantry promoter, Zenzel Hirschfield said the pageantry advocates for women of all body sizes and heights as long as they are citizens of Botswana, aged 40 years and above. She added that she was happy that they hosted a High Tea event and all the phenomenal women invited to inspire and mingle with aspiring queens together with former contestants and queens honoured the invitation. “Our pageantry aims at bringing a positive impact on the lives of Batswana women that is why this year we have adopted Ratong Women’s Shelter because they play a big role in changing the lives of fellow women. They accommodate those women who seek shelter from men because of issues of gender-based violence (GBV). When a woman knocks on their door crying for help they welcome her with open arms. They also teach women handy works and crafts to sustain themselves,” she said.
The guest speakers included Agatha Atlholang of Motswana Iteke, renowned entrepreneur and public relations engineer, Mercy Thebe, woman of many hats in the sports arena, Tebogo Lebotse-Sebego and the Assistant Minister of Trade and Investment, Beauty Manake. When addressing the women, Atlholang said it was crucial for women to know the difference between what and who they are. She explained that with the influence of social media, it was evident that Batswana run after everything that was trending either good or bad. “Women are going through a lot that is why they do not take care of themselves but rather drink too much and neglect their health. There are things we have to take care as human beings; physical wellness, safe sex, emotional wellness, social wellness, intellectual intelligence, occupational wellness, spiritual wellness and environmental wellness. As women, let us grow each other instead of hating and being each other’s downfall. Women do not support each other and that has to come to an end,” she said.
Furthermore, Manake advised Miss Millennium to register as a non-governmental organisation and seek sponsorship from different entities. She also encouraged women to support each other and refrain from wanting to be the centre of attraction by blowing off fellow women’s candles. She said blowing off other people’s candles does not mean that theirs alone will light brighter. The Miss Millennium beauty pageant will be hosted on February 18 at the Millennium Jazz Restaurant at 6:30pm. It will have a first introduction parade, career parade and evening parade.
