. After outshining queens from across the globe, Segaetsho’s victory is a testament to her resilience, hard work, and unwavering support from her family and Batswana. Reflecting on the moment her name was announced as the winner, Segaetsho expressed overwhelming joy. "The joy in my heart was exceedingly too much, it felt like a dream. Competing with queens from different continents and being crowned was only a wish, but now it’s a reality. The journey was not easy, but through God’s guidance, the support from my family and Batswana and perseverance, I made it," she said. Segaetsho’s journey in pageantry began at the age of five when she was crowned Miss Area W First Princess, an achievement that fuelled her ambition. Inspired by role models such as Lesego Chombo, who is both a queen and a government minister, Segaetsho sees her title as more than just an accolade. "Being an international title holder means I am not only a queen in Botswana but also in other countries. It’s a platform to be a voice for the voiceless and to champion the cause of the less privileged," she explained.
Her preparation for the competition involved rigorous training with the Hope Pageants Botswana team every weekend. "I want to publicly appreciate them for their time and skills in shaping me for a win. My mother, who is also my manager, played a huge role, sacrificing her time and resources. She was my sole sponsor for transportation, feeding, accommodation, and wardrobe," Segaetsho shared. She also expressed gratitude to her brothers, extended family, and Batswana, whose support on social media kept her motivated. She stated that the competition offered her memorable experiences, from delivering an award-winning project presentation to forging bonds with queens from different cultures. She recalled the excitement of showcasing her elegant traditional attire on stage, saying, "the spectators' cheers and clapping filled me with confidence." One of the challenges Segaetsho faced was twisting her ankle a day before the competition’s gala night. However, her resilience shone through as she decided to continue, saying: "I told myself I came to compete, and I will, against all odds."
Segaetsho plans to use her platform to address asthma awareness, a cause close to her heart. "I aim to work with the Ministry of Health to gather more information about asthma and secure materials for demonstrations. My ultimate goal is to establish an asthma clinic in Botswana, as we currently have none," she said. Balancing schoolwork, hobbies, and pageantry is no small feat but Segaetsho credits her organisational skills and family support for her ability to manage it all. She advises other young girls to be resilient and to pursue their dreams. "We all have a purpose in life, and resilience is key to success. God blesses the works of our hands. I am thrilled to work with people from all walks of life to make a global impact. My priority is to start at home in Botswana before extending my efforts to other nations," she said.
As she takes on her role as an ambassador for the Hope Pageant International brand, Segaetsho remains committed to creating an asthma-free future generation. "If I can at least save the world by spreading the message, that will define my achievement as Miss Pre-Teen Hope International," she concluded.
