24 Oct 2022

The weekend visit by the reigning Miss World, Karolina Bielawska, has rekindled dreams of Botswana hosting the international pageant.

Miss Botswana organiser, Ben Raletsatsi said they decided to bring Bielawska to show authorities and Batswana that it was possible to host the Miss World pageant.

He added that they had a five-year plan to host the world pageant when they won the bid to organise the local version of the competition.

Bielawska was in the country at the invitation of Miss Botswana organisers. She met First Lady, Neo Masisi and the newly crowned Miss Botswana, Lesego Chombo at Avani Hotel on Sunday.

On Saturday, she attended the Miss Botswana grand finale.

Raletsatsi said the plan was to host the world pageant in 2024, but that they failed to meet the requirements and were considering hosting the 2026 event as they now had government’s endorsement. He said they now just need the private sector to support them in realising the dream.

For his part, Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare said hosting the Miss World competition was a topic they had discussed.

He said hosting big international events such as conferences and the Miss World pageant was part of government’s plan to position the country as a destination of choice for conferences and exhibitions.

The minister said hosting the Miss World pageant would be a great boost to the country, not only economically, but also in the tourism sector.

He said hosting the competition would also motivate local girls to aspire to win the pageant.

Rakgare said they were still discussing the issue of hosting the competition in 2026.

“There is still a lot that has to be done and we need to satisfy and meet all the requirements,” he said, adding that when they were satisfied with the plan they would present the proposal to cabinet.

He said they did not want to embarrass the country because they did not plan well.

Bielawska said she had a wonderful time and was able to see some of the country’s wildlife during a game drive at Mmokolodi Game Park.

She vowed to come back before her reign ended next year. “I will really like to visit the delta and I am coming back in January,” Bielawska stated excitedly. ENDS