22 Jan 2023

Dr Thanolo Keautlwile is Miss Africa Golden 2022/23. 

The 27-year-old was recently crowned at a colourful ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria.

Thanolo, a model and health fitness fanatic, defeated 15 other contestants in the race to emerge the fifth queen at the dazzling grand finale.

The Thamaga-born who is also a medical doctor at Princess Marina Hospital holds the Miss Popularity title, after she garnered the most votes in an online poll that ran before the pageant. Miss Africa Golden is a pan-African pageant that supports black originality culture and tourism; strives to make African roots known and diversifies economies.

During a meet and greet session in Gaborone on Thursday, Thanolo said that during her one-year tenure, she would focus on child care and protection, especially in rural areas and try to ensure that all children are able to progress in all areas of life.

She said she would like to venture into more activities in the outside world, covering fashion shows and movies.

Thanolo said the journey was difficult, especially funding and called on private entities and government to support such contests as they continue to fly the Botswana flag high.

She noted that the pageant taught her that ‘where there is a will, there is always a way’ hence she decided to sponsor this journey, with the help of other Batswana.

“I would like to thank the nation and my family for voting for me and ensuring that I go through the preliminary rounds of the competition, which enabled me to win the contest eventually,” Thanolo said.

Thanolo is also a founder of TK Model Academy, which focuses on grooming children interested in modelling and pageantry. She was also a face of Gabs July 2022 and had an opportunity to walk for Africa Fashion International Forbes fashion experience in Kasane. Ends