Beauty pageants in Botswana
Beauty pageants in Botswana | ||
|---|---|---|
 | ||
Miss Universe participant countries and territories
| Formation | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Type | Beauty pageant |
| Headquarters | Gaborone |
| Location | |
Membership | Miss Universe |
Official language | English |
Miss Universe Botswana is a beauty pageant that was first held in 1999, with winner competing in the Miss Universe pageant.
The first ever Miss Universe Botswana pageant was held at the Grand Palm Hotel Casino Resort in the capital of Gaborone on the March 19, 1999.[1] In 1999 Mpule Kwelagobe became the 3rd woman from Africa who was crowned Miss Universe pageant. Between 2002 and 2003 the country did not participate in Miss Universe but in 2004 the country sent a winning title of Miss Universe Botswana to Ecuador, Miss Universe 2004.
In 2010, Mos Syde Worldwide Entertainment Group; an international entertainment and fashion company domiciled in Gaborone, Botswana's business capital, acquired the rights for the MISS UNIVERSE Botswana pageant after Botswana had been absent from MISS UNIVERSE for six years. The aim was to revive the pageant in Botswana, bring it back for good, and help drive the global Women empowerment agenda. Tirelo Ramasedi was crowned MISS UNIVERSE Botswana 2010 during an event held at Gaborone International Convention Centre in Gaborone on Sunday, July 11, 2010. She represented Botswana at the 59th MISS UNIVERSE in Las Vegas on Monday, August 23, 2010. The 59th MISS UNIVERSE was ultimately won by Mexico's Ximena Navarrete. Larona Kgabo won MISS UNIVERSE Botswana 2011 on Saturday, July 23, 2011 and went on to represent Botswana in Sao Paolo, Brazil. On Sunday, October 14, 2012, Larona Kgabo's successor, Sheillah Molelekwa, was crowned MISS UNIVERSE Botswana 2012 and represented Botswana in Las Vegas, Nevada while MISS UNIVERSE Botswana 2013, Tsaone Macheng represented Botswana in Moscow, Russia on Saturday, November 9, 2013. Tsaone was crowned MISS UNIVERSE Botswana 2013 by Larona Kgabo on Saturday, September 7, 2013. Botswana last participated in MISS UNIVERSE in 2013 meaning that Botswana has not participated in MISS UNIVERSE for 10 years. Safie Sekgwa is the National Director of MISS UNIVERSE Botswana.
After rumors that Mpule Kwelagobe took over the Miss Universe Botswana franchise in 2019, Kwelagobe denied the allegations. "This is not true. I do not know who has been spreading these fake reports, but I am not the franchise holder of Miss Universe and I do not have any interest whatsoever in doing so,".[2]
| Year | District | Miss Universe Botswana | Placement at Miss Universe | Special Awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Did not compete since 2014—Present | |||||
| 2013 | Gaborone | Tsaone Macheng | Unplaced | ||
| 2012 | Gaborone | Sheillah Molelekwa | Unplaced | ||
| 2011 | Gaborone | Larona Motlatsi Kgabo | Unplaced | ||
| 2010 | Gaborone | Tirelo Ramasedi | Unplaced | Mos Syde Group, Safie Sekgwa directorship. | |
| Did not compete between 2005—2009 | |||||
| 2004 | Gaborone | Icho Keolotswe | Unplaced | ||
| Did not compete between 2002—2003 | |||||
| 2001 | Gaborone | Mataila Sikwane | Unplaced | ||
| 2000 | Orapa | Joyce Molemoeng | Unplaced | ||
| 1999 | South-East | Mpule Kwelagobe | Miss Universe 1999 | Announced by Mr Phiri, High Commissioner of Zambia to Botswana. | |