25 Aug 2024

Miss Botswana organisation has expressed shock at social media allegations that suggest the Miss Botswana has not yet received the car she was to get after winning the pegeant and also that she was suicidal.

Miss Botswana organisation director, Benjamin Raletsatsi when addressing the media on Thursday said, some of the allegations made were not in their control.

Raletsatsi said the organisation was in good standing with the Queen noting, ‘there is no bad blood between the organisation and Miss Botswana, Anicia Gaothusi and there is no crisis. We acknowledge that Miss Botswana is a people’s project and hence we understand the emotions and outrage to defend and protect her’. 

He noted that the car, a VW Polo Vivo was ready for Gaothusi at the dealer and would get it after her reign as per the agreement.

He said they inherited an organisation marred with controversy and had worked to turn it around.

He cautioned the public about the damage that misinformation could do to the organisation, Queen, her family, friends and the international community where she would be going to, to represent the country.

Raletsatsi said the organisation had grown over the years and the current Miss Botswana, had support of a 15-member team.

We try our best but sometime we get it wrong as a team. Each Queen is treated differently and each reign is a different experience, but we always strive for growth, Raletsatsi said.

Gaothusi for her part, disputed allegations that she was suicidal. “I am doing quite well, and I have a dream to go and represent my country at the Miss World stage. The crown I am wearing represents unity and Batswana. When we unite, we become a strong nation,” said Gaothusi and thanked Batswana for their support.

She also talked on her beauty with a purpose project, LIGHTS saying she was working on it and was receiving the help she needed from professionals.

 She said she was confident that she would be ready for Miss World competition due to take place around March next year.

Regarding the car that she was to receive as part of her Miss Botswana prize, Gaothusi said she had discussed and agreed with the organisation that for now she would settle for a chaperone to carry out her duties as Miss Botswana Queen until she got her driver’s license. ENDS