Botswana makes 2nd Edition of Miss Africa pageant

Publishing Date : 19 July, 2017

Author : NEO LORRAINE PHOKOJE

Mahalapye native, 25 year old Sarah Sebopelo will represent Botswana at Miss Africa Continent pageant which kicks off with a boot camp the on the 23rd of next month at Eastern Cape, South Africa. The top 12 selection will be made the same month of August, on the 26th before the grand finale on September 2.

Miss Africa Continent is an annual international beauty pageant run by ProAct Communications along with Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss Earth contests. Miss Africa is lying face down to be one of the largest beauty pageants globally and one of the most predictable beauty pageants worldwide. Its objective is to advocate plights facing Africa such as poverty and xenophobic mentality to unify Africa. “Unfortunately last year our country did not have a representative, but this year I will be the one raising our flag high, Sebopelo told WeekendLife.”

She went on to say that, “Originally Tumi Thipe went for auditions in South Africa and she was selected to represent Botswana. Unfortunately, she later found out she cannot participate because she is working on a huge project that clashed with the time slot for Miss Africa continent, so she approached me and asked me to replace her, I sent my profile to the pageant coordinators and I made it through the screening phase,” she said.

“This is my first big pageant and I am highly looking forward to the challenge, given that I have been granted an opportunity of competing and being among other African ladies will broaden my mind as I will learn from them and where they come from.”
Sebopelo further said that, “I have recently completed training at Elite Queens Training run by Lorraine Ditsebe; who is also my mentor. During the three months training, we worked on beauty queen etiquette, hair and makeup, public speaking skills, interview skills. She also trained me on project writing and emplementation; currently we are working on sponsorship for some of the expenses,” she said.

She pleads for sponsorship from government and the general public as well as concerned stakeholders to help cover some of the costs. At the top of the list are flight tickets to and from South Africa. “I am really looking forward to making life long connections that will benefit all parties involved, God willing I win this pageant, I will have a platform in which I can use to change other people’s lives, not just in Botswana but in the continent at large as the mandate of the pageant is to tackle issues that concern Africa.”

According to her, “Just knowing that in my year of reign I was able to inspire change, help someone will be a great reward. It will pave the way to even greater things.” “The tickets will be out soon, I would really appreciate it if Batswana came to support me,” she said.

Sebopelo concluded that, “It’s a tremendous pleasure to be one that will proudly represent the country on that stage. I have the responsibility of sharing with the continent, the world even, the diversity of our culture, the principles that guide us to be such a small and yet fast developing country.” “We have so much to be proud of that can potentially inspire other nations and I’m excited to share that,” she said.

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