22 Sep 2024

Dr Thanolo Keutlwile (28) from Thamaga is the winner of the glittering and highly contested 2024 Miss Universe Botswana pageant.

Her first and second runner ups are Leila Anderson (19)  and  Sebaga Manyepetsa (24) respectively.

Dr Keutlwile, who works at Princess Marina’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology department thanked all her competitors for being courageous, committed and being supportive to one another, adding that from them, she had learnt perseverance and believe in oneself in order to achieve set goals.

Dr Keutlwile, who will represent Botswana at the 73rd Miss Universe in Mexico on November 16, said her project for the pageant, would focus on tourism in the Central District, adding that she had embarked on another role of familiarising the community with maternal issues. 

“Our health sector needs a lot of awareness so that we can be able to awaken a better vision out there,” Dr Keutlwile said.

Meanwhile, Manyepetsa won the Miss Popularity title while the Miss Photogenic was won by Khumo Kailane, Miss Congeniality was snatched by Setho Monaka, while the Best Swim Suit title was awarded to  Bangu Montsho and the Best Evening wear was won by Michelle Ramotshwarapula.

Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare said  Batswana women had it in them to win the Miss Universe title like Mpule Kwelagobe, who won the title in 1999 and  others who had done it on various pageants worldwide.

Rakgare said Miss Universe pageant was a special platform because it promoted inclusion and gender equity, which aligned well with the ministry’s mandate.

“For Botswana to participate in Miss Universe, it indirectly fuels our country’s journey towards becoming a high-income status economy by the year 2036,” he said.

He further explained that the pageant was in tune with President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s Reset  Agenda, especially when it came to equal opportunities and inclusion.

Rakgare said the Miss Universe pageant  advocated for women empowerment  and a  future forged by women who had the courage to push the limits of possibilities.

He said government was pleased that arts, culture, tourism and diamonds promoted the country on the global stage. ENDS