20 Jan 2019

The 2018 Mrs  Botswana first princess is set to compete at the Mrs International pageant slated for West Virginia, US in July.

Lebogang Manson, who took part in last year’s Mrs Botswana showpiece, indicated in an interview that she got to know about Mrs International pageant during her Mrs Botswana 2018 journey.

“When I was not crowned Mrs Botswana 2018, I decided that it cannot be the end for me because I was ready for the international stage.

I contacted Mrs International organisers to inquire and make arrangements to take part,” she said.

She said she got the opportunity to send an application, which was successful.

She said Mrs International pageant, which was started about 30 years ago, promote married women’s accomplishments and commitment to family as well as their marriage lifestyle.

“It is a pageant that takes community service very seriously and I am one person who believes that beauty is more than just a pretty face and beautiful body, but about having love and compassion for other people.

Beauty is about serving God through his people,” said Manson.

She said the pageant was also a platform to empower women.

She said through the pageant, she would be able to meet married women with different backgrounds in terms of race, culture and general upbringing.

Already, she said she had started her preparations for the pageant adding that she was currently involved in writing proposals for strategic partnerships and sponsorships as well as strategising on how to finance her trip to America.

Though, she was not crowned Mrs Botswana winner, she said she was grateful to have been part of the pageant she learnt a lot.

Through Mrs Botswana,  she said they were empowered through marriage seminars on a number of topics.

Manson said she was motivated to use pageantry as a platform to advance community service and build a brand to empower young women.

She noted that she wanted to use her journey to inspire young women to be the best versions of themselves, to build resilience and to be their true selves.

“Being true to yourself is the only way to finding intrinsic happiness, inner peace and building healthy positive relationships,” she said.

Manson works full time at her business Chemdry Gaborone; a business that specialises in carpet and upholstery cleaning services.

The mother of two, said she was also a part time singer at KTM Choir and also works with Fitducators Botswana.

Manson, who had suffered from depression, said she was also passionate about mental health.

She is also the founder of a women empowerment initiative called Powerhouse in which she guides young women on self-awareness and personal development.

Manson encouraged the youth to use available opportunities to make a name for themselves  adding that the youth should believe in themselves to fulfil their dreams. ENDS