19 Feb 2023

Betty Mbaembae is Miss Millennium 2023.

The 45-year-old, who was crowned in Mogoditshane on Saturday, becomes the  15th beauty queen since the pageantry started in 2008.

Shakila Kebabope, 41, of Molepolole was crowned first princess while 59-year-old Kelebeletse Nthobatsang of Moshupa won the second princess title.

Mbaembae, a breast cancer survivor impressed judges during question time when she displayed her courageous zeal and fighting spirit as she told judges how she battled stage 3B cancer and survived against all odds.

Asked what she intended to do should she win the coveted title, Mogoditshane born Mbaembae did not waste time and seized the moment to her advantage saying she would use the Miss Millennium platform to educate the public particularly women about breast cancer and work with local health facilities to encourage women to test for early detection.

She also said her job would be much easier since she already worked as a community builder at Hope World Wide Botswana, an organisation that mobilizes communities to improve their socio economic conditions.

Before the new beauty queen was crowned the chief Judge, Mercy Thebe explained that they were looking for a well-rounded woman who inspired confidence to be crowned Miss Millennium.

She said the women went through a rigorous judging process,which started off with a pre judging session on Thursday where they had intimate discussions with them. The pageants were also judged on their talents based on their roles as women as well as how they faired in their evening wear.

Earlier, the minister of Youth, Sport, Gender and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare thanked the event organisers for choosing Mogoditshane to host the pageant for the past 15 years. He said the pageant played a significant role in stimulating economic activity in the area.

In addition, he said the pageant was about the well being of older women as well as recognising their place and role in the society.

For that he thanked the women who participated for raising their hand.

Miss Millennium pageantry aims to empower women over 40 years as well as focus on the development of the boy and girl child through various development projects in communities.

The reigning queen is expected to choose a project that can impact the community that she chooses to work with. ENDS