Thursday evening was a jubilant time for The Miss Botswana finalists as they were finally awarded their prizes at Crista Lodge. This prize giving ceremony follows the just-ended Miss Botswana pageant which took place on July 29 at the Gaborone International Convention Centre. On board to witness the hand-over were contestants, sponsors, media, the organising team, Miss Botswana partners as well as the contestants’ parents. Not only did the top three receive prizes, but the contestants who had made it to the top 16.

Our 50th Miss Botswana, Thata Kenosi, who was consistently tagged as “our queen” at the ceremony was first to receive her prizes. Amid her many prizes was a cash prize of P300 000 from the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture handed over by the ministry’s DPS Peter Mongwaketse followed by a P70 000 diamond jewellery voucher presented by Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB). Symphony Health also proved its generosity by pledging a P2 million medical and travel cover for Kenosi. Ethiopian Airlines were not outdone with a business class flight to Washington DC.                                                                                                                Miss Botswana 2013 Rosemary Keofitlhetse, who is now Malaika Jewellery’s brand ambassador, handed earrings and a neckpiece to Kenosi. Sunglasses, a weekend getaway for two to Cape Town and Sun City, a one-year gym membership contract with Virgin Active, a year of free facials and nails treatment by Boutas Aqua Spa, a tablet from Mascom, pair of shoes, ‘The Makeover’ makeup tutorials’ sponsorship per week for a year, and a 1st and 2nd degree sponsorship by Limkokwing Malaysia were among the prizes Kenosi took home.  

First princess Oabona Kamona received a P150 000 prize from the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture, diamond jewellery worth P50 000 from DTCB, Flori Roberts make-up hampers, sunglasses, unpaid hairdo for a year by ‘The Makeover’. Limkokwing also issued a first degree sponsorship for Kamona to study here in Botswana. She also will be a Virgin Active member courtesy of the gym for a period of six months. A tablet from Mascom was also given to the first princess.                                                                                          

Second princess was awarded P35 000 by the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture, Flori Roberts make-up hampers, sunglasses, hairdo for a year by ‘The makeover’, 1st degree sponsorship to study at Limkokwing Botswana, Mascom tablet, and a three-month Virgin Active gym subscription.   

The top nine finalists were each given a Mascom tablet and a prize of P7 000 each by the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture. Not only were finalists awarded, consolations that had long been eliminated from the competition were each issued P2 500 by MYSC.  

Speaking at the ceremony, Mongwaketse assured that codes of conducts were followed by the Miss Botswana organising team and therefore transparency and fairness was visible. 

Kenosi is expected to leave for Washington DC on November 19 where she will represent Botswana at the Miss World 2016 competition.