04 May 2022

Grooming girls at a tender age can enhance Botswana’s chance of doing well in international pageants.    

Competitive events such as beauty pageants build young participants for bigger events        This was said by the founder of Junior Miss Botswana beauty pageant Queen Kolobe following the recent auditions in Gaborone.  

The auditions for the 10th edition of the pageant slated for August 28 attracted large number of girls aged six to 14 from different parts of the country.

In an interview Kolobe said preparations for the pageant was progressing well.

The pageant was initiated in 2012 by two modelling agencies; Super Model Ink and Madam Queen after realising that there was no competition for the age group, with the aim of grooming children at an early age.  

She said, “I am delighted that this pageantry is getting into its 10th year of existence especially after two years break due to COVID-19 pandemic.”

Girls between six and 14 years are allowed to take part, the competition would be divided into two categories, which is six to 10 years and 11 to 14 and each category would have 20 contestants.

She added that during the grand finale the girls would showcase their talents and  also noted that the pageant aimed to introduce young girls to modelling and afforded them an opportunity to perform on a national stage.

She said the competition was used to refine and  perfect their character and qualities to help them discover themselves.

Kolobe emphasised that they intended to improve their physical and mental outlook.

She said when a young girl desired something she would be motivated, a trait that would help her  set goals and work to achieve them.

The founder also confirmed that the money that would be raised would be shared amongst the six winners and part of the funds be donated to Childline Botswana.

One of the judges, Miss Millennium 2022 Mimi Majube said competitive events such as beauty pageants groom young participants into embracing disciplined habits and structured regimen.

She said that allowed them to abide by the rules and stuck to schedules which would help them nurture maturity and sense of responsibility.

Majube also noted that the competition helped in gaining a deeper understanding of what the girls were capable of doing beyond their imaginations.

“I always advise my girls to be more confident and positive on the stage and when answering questions, if the question requires humour, do not hesitate to throw it, be smart and diplomatic,” she said.

She further encouraged other girls to participate in events such as this so as to explore their talents. Ends