27 Aug 2019

Twelve finalists of the Miss Independence Kgatleng 2019 were over the weekend put through their paces at a cultural boot camp, where Wendy Macheke and Kaone Otlaadisang won Miss Personality and Miss Boot Camp respectively. 

Miss Independence Kgatleng is an award winning initiative, having won Best Organisation Supporting Youth Development at this year’s Botswana National Youth awards. 

The initiative celebrates Sekgatla culture through beauty pageantry, where young women are given an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Bakgatla, whereas the winner then becomes a role model and inspiration to other young Bakgatla women and gives back to the community through charitable work. 

The two-day boot camp was held under the theme: The Significance of a Woman in the society’. 

The 12 finalists took part in cow and goat milking, traditional games and traditional food competitions. 

Kgomotso Tshwenyego, who many have dubbed Botswana’s very own arts and culture guru, had a few words of encouragement for the contestants. 

Tshwenyego, who is also a motivational speaker said she differed on the sentiment that women do not support each other, saying women need to ensure that they find ways of uplifting each other and prove to the world that they are united, stand together and speak with one voice. 

She further encouraged the 12 finalists to love support one another and know that they were already winners. 

Amongst other guests at the boot camp were Kgosi Letshwenyo Rasesa, Queen mother of the royal house MmaRakau Kgafela commonly referred to as Mma Seingwaeng. 

 The Queen mother encouraged the ladies to respect themselves as women and learn to say no and not be easily influenced in life. 

Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture development programmes officer, Ivy Mogomotsi advised the ladies to take advantage of available youth programmes, meant to help them to make an honest living and to better their lives. 

She said the theme motivated the contestants to never give up and be true women of virtue, who remain pivoted no matter the situation they go through.  

Dressed in their Sekgatla cultural regalia, the contestants prepare dtraditional meals which they were judged on. 

Judges Joy Setshedi and Luthando Ratau chose Otaadisang, as the Miss Boot Camp after the goat milking session, where she showed her skill and love for her culture. 

Macheke was voted as Miss Personality by other contestants, and the two women are set to battle it out for the Miss Independence Kgatleng 2019 title on September 21 in Mochudi. 

Macheke walked away with a voucher worth P1500 from Norah cosmetics, while Otaadisang walked away with a P500 food hamper sponsored by Sefalana and P500 hamper from Clicks Railpark mall. In closing, the director of the award winning pageant Lebopo Bulayani encouraged the girls to be strong. 

“Either you win or you learn and standing up for your community gives one dignity and fulfils their purpose in life,” she said. Ends