This is an increased participation from 2023 as Botswana’s only representative, Shatiso Hunpenya, brought home the Super Talent, Princess of Africa and Style Icon titles from the Junior Model International. The Junior Model International is an international model pageantry for children under the age of 12 and features art, talent and fashion competitions. Speaking to Arts&Culture recently, Beauty Hub Academy’s pageantry director, One Mariri-Fred said the increase is instigated by the growth of the pageantry industry especially among the juniors. “The pageantry industry is growing locally.
I have seen that as evident from the number of kids we train in our academy who go international and come having won so many titles against all those other countries. It is also evident that we have left a mark on countries and they know Botswana and we are ready for more international stages,” said Mariri-Fred. The pageantry also features four age group categories being the four to six, six to eight, eight to 10 and the 10-12 age groups. Six-year-old, Bame Moporofiti will feature in the 4-6 four to six age group, eight-year-old, Kaylar Jacobs in the six to eight age group while 12-year-old Lame Lesotho will compete in the 10-12 age category. Super Globe International on the other hand has two categories for teens. Thapiso Kebakile (14) and Rethabile Thobo Molebatsi (14) are in the 13-15 age category while 16-year-old, Angela Tlhabo Mukami is competing in the 15-19 category.
Mariri-Fred expressed optimism over the sextuple after undergoing intensive training since January. “The six candidates are under intensive training with the Beauty Hub Academy, where they are working on their stage walks, their talent and coming up with the best national outfits that sell Botswana. They are also undergoing public speaking classes to prepare them for interviews on the international stage. They have been training since January this year,” Mariri-Fred said. The local contingent will also need votes from the Facebook and Instagram social media platforms for the Social Media Star award. The team is to fly from Botswana on Tuesday (August 6) at 2pm and it is expected home on Sunday (August 11) at 1pm.
