When the Development Advanced Institute (DAI), took over Miss Botswana in 2019, part of the plan was to revamp and rebrand the pageant.
Under Benjamin Raletsatsi, DAI was to incorporate home grown talent of the broader creative sector, including hairdressers, makeup artists, production companies and fashion designers.
That is because he believed that Botswana has a wide spectrum of rich and untapped skills. This has driven the agenda since DAI was roped in by Botswana Council of Women (BCW), the former Miss Botswana licence holders.
It began right away in 2019 when that year’s Miss Botswana pageant featured local fashion designers in its brand, from decking out the contestants in the Miss Botswana Fashion Show that was hosted by Cresta to dressing the Queen Oweditse Phirinyane when she left for the Miss World Grand Finale that was held in London on 14 December that year.
Raletsatsi’s idea is to provide every need of the Queen. Once again this year, the call has gone out to fashion designers to ensure that each of the Top 30 beauties is in her best for the Miss Botswana Fashion Show from which the Queen will emerge towards the end of the year.
If it is a great night when the Queen wears the crown, so too will it be for the fashion designer in whose sartorial elegance the most beautiful Motswana woman will stand when she puts her best foot forward. The finery will give that special young woman the necessary confidence for the 70th edition of Miss World in Puerto Rico where she will aim to be crowned by Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica on 16 December.
Raletsatsi says this year is strictly about empowering local businesses and is appealing for any form of sponsorship from them. “Miss Botswana is not just a beauty competition but a contest of substance as well,” he said in an interview. “Miss Botswana provides a platform for many industries. We want to redefine pageantry in Botswana.”
In their quest for the best of the country, DAI has stipulated specific requirements for designers to meet. Each designer will be expected to produce 10 looks and provide their own music for the parade at least seven days before the show.
There will be only one fitting per designer. Designers must agree to be available for all scheduled activities for the show. Each designer will be expected to participate in a profiling photo and video shoot for the pageant. Designers will sign a release form for their participation in the pageant production.
About Miss Botswana
Miss Botswana seeks to develop young Batswana women and advance their potential to become socially responsible and compassionate through relevant skills and values. This is meant to ensure their success in life as citizens and leaders capable of changing the present for the better and enriching the future.
