15 Feb 2023

The turn-up for the inaugural Miss Supranational Botswana auditions, which started on January 21, has been relatively low, the organisers have said.

The auditions started in Kasane followed by Maun, Ghanzi, Francistown, Selebi Phikwe, Palapye and Jwaneng. 

The last lap of auditions were scheduled for Gaborone this past weekend.

Citing factors such as low confidence for potential candidates, the licence holder, Kaone Moremong also acknowledged that rural-urban migration contributed to the low turn up.

“Since we started the auditions we have realised that only a few people show up and this is mainly due to low confidence to take up the opportunity. We also note that others are disqualified due to the fact that they have children, which goes against one of our pre-requisites. 

However, we also acknowledge that most young ladies have moved to the city to pursue their dreams hence we are expecting a better turn-up for the Gaborone auditions as compared to home villages,” she said on the sidelines of the Jwaneng auditions on Sunday.

Moremong also indicated that they had engaged local scouts to assist in locating potential candidates for the pageant. 

The initiative, she said, was intended to get the best from each place through engaging experienced scouts who know their areas better, especially those with experience in organising beauty pageants.

She noted that although it was the first time the pageant was held in Botswana, she said they received positive response especially from the sponsors. 

She noted that the vehicle and scholarship prizes attached to the pageant were some of the things that set it apart from the rest.

She said the top 30 contestants would be trained on etiquette, walk, public speaking and make-up as well as legal documentation, after which a talent show would assist in selecting the top 12 to be enrolled in a vigorous boot camp. 

Following the national crowning on April 8, the queen will represent Botswana at the Miss Supranational grand finale scheduled for July in Poland. ENDS