10 Oct 2023

Mrs Botswana reigning queen, Portia Makgathong, won the Top Africa Universe and the Best Native Costume awards at the at the just-ended Mrs Universe pageant in Manila, Philippines, that saw a total of 91 women from all over the world competing for the coveted crown. 

In an interview, the founder and director of the Mrs Botswana brand, Kgalalelo Lesetedi, said the Top Africa Universe award was given in recognition of Makgathong’s efforts to promote the elegance of African culture and the spirit of Botho, which the majority of African nations still uphold. 

She said the award also intended to recognise Makgathong’s  humility and the perseverance she demonstrated throughout the competitions. 

Lesetedi further said Makgathong’s costume gave the best description of the country’s heritage hence the award. 

“Her costume was makgabe made of the blue, black and white beads to showcase the country’s flag and one of the local traditional outfits. 

The costume was also made out of basketry as a way to express one of the cultural aspects that Batswana are fond of,” she explained. 

She added “the bird sculpture serving as her headgear intended to display some of the species in the country’s eco-system, as much as the coat of arms shield served to showcase her identity as a Motswana.” 

In addition to the presentation on gender-based violence, which focused on family welfare, child protection and happy marriage among other things, Makgathong also participated in a number of activities, the marks from which went towards her overall performance. 

Makgathong said one of her activities was friendship night that entailed exchange of gifts. 

She had designed key holders for each participant, and one side the key holder had a portrait of each participant while the other side had the Botswana’s flag. 

“I wanted to use the flag as a way to embrace the idea of sisterhood despite the differences in our national origins and cultural backgrounds. 

I also wanted them to feel the love and warmth of my home country. The key holders will always serve as a symbol that we are all victors, united in our pursuit of a secure future for our children and a successful marriage,” she said. Ends