22 Jan 2025

Temo Ramontshonyana was selected Miss Teen Botswana Top 30 Finalist in August 2024 after showcasing her walking capabilities.

“I have gotten myself a beauty sash for Kanye and I am now representing Kanye as Miss Teen Botswana Top 30 Finalist, together with three others who are also from Kanye,” she said in an interview.

The 14-year old Kanye born explained that her journey started just after seeing an invitation on social media and was encouraged to apply. She was later called for auditions.

“At the Stanbic Incubator Acceleration Hub where we auditioned, we were asked to display our walk and thereafter got quizzed on a few questions,” she said.

Ramontshonyana said before going for the auditioning she doubtlessly believed in her capabilities. However, she said she had to overcome shyness. She said that no one could describe who the other person was, except the concerned individual.

“You are who you say you are,” she said.

However she said for her, it was not just the shyness alone that she had to overcome, but the anxiety of being a first timer in the world of beauty pageants. She said she was actually beginning to open up and hoped she would finally get used to it.

“After the auditions, I received a call informing me that I had made it to Miss Teen Botswana Top 30 finalists,” she said.

She says Miss Teen Botswana is the best platform for her to be a positive inspiration to young people and be a role model that positively inspired other people.

Working towards the crown has put much on her plate in terms of securing herself sponsors, which she said is a challenging endeavour. She said potential sponsor responses are that she should have requested at least 3 months prior.

“However, I do not despair, rather I have set up a WhatsApp group of family and friends for financial support,” she added.

Ramontshonyana foresees her “Greener Future with Hands” pageant project, which targets young people, instilling knowledge and impacting lives in various aspects such as charitable work as well as educating on environmental sustainability.

So far, in the past year, Ramontshonyana has reached out to communities such as Botshelo Diabetic Patients Clinic in Block 6, giving them fruits and vegetables.

She donated seedlings to some families in Goo Lobeko and some toiletries at the past Hey Nyena Kiddies Donation Day last month.

“I also went to Moshana to donate a few Christmas gifts for the kids inclusive of clothes,” she added.

She said she intended to extend her reach to various institutions of learning in Kanye to teach the youth on the importance of safeguarding the environment.

“I am looking forward to handing out some public refuse bins in the upcoming clean-up campaign in Goo Lobeko ward on January 24, 2024 and I kindly invite the public to join in the cleaning up,” she said.

She pointed out that the refuse bins were being crafted from recycled metals to encourage re-cycling, re-using and reducing environmental pollution.

She added that the upcoming clean-up campaign will be in collaboration with Mohumagadi Masetsebi Gaseitsewe’s Stakeholder Collaborative Committee which has been spearheading the past clean-up campaigns in Kanye.

Moreover, the Bangwaketse queen encouraged Ramontshonyana that her work should not just begin and end in the current phase, rather to continually expand her horizons.

She stated that the issues addressed by Ramontshonyana’s project were important and therefore pledged support to the aspiring beauty queen.

Gaseitsewe said the project aligns with her committee’s mandate of teaching the community to segregate refuse for purposes of re-using recycling and reducing litter. ENDS