FROM SJAPI TO THE WORLD!
Promising model Botlhale aims to take centre stage in modelling industry
She is undoubtedly a ‘rough diamond’ with great potential in the modelling industry but Botlhale Jasmine Esele dreams of one day sashaying on global ramps, showing the world the abundance of natural beauty and talent that Botswana has to offer.
Self-assured and bubbly, with an innocent starry persona, Esele breaks into a huge grin when she speaks animatedly about her journey in the modelling industry. She told Vibe that her love for fashion and style is what made her develop her interest in modelling.
Esele recently turned heads recently when she was featured in this year’s instalment of Fashion without Borders, modelling garments from Don Lu Coutore. Tall (she is 1.74m) and slender with a composed aura, she strutted confidently on the ramp. She said it was a great platform for her and she had learnt a lot about the modelling industry. It was her first big show and she was nervous, she said, but she aced it. “I had been to other auditions and got turned down from, but I never gave up; I kept trying because I believe in myself and wanted to grow my brand,” she said. She admits that initially, she was reserved and shy but she soon realised that she had to come out of her shell, and learnt a few things. “I have since learnt voice projection and model etiquette, among other things,” she added.
Esele is a simple Setswana young woman who was born and raised in a traditional home in Serowe. As a little girl, being a model seemed a far-fetched dream for her, but she grew older and was exposed to the world beyond the one she was accustomed to, and realised that she has what it takes. She said the fact that there are few sponsors and modelling is not taken as seriously here unlike in other countries demotivated some potential models, but she had not allowed this to put her down. She encouraged other young women who are interested in modelling to have confidence and give their best at all times. Shoot your shot because you would never know what potential you have,” she said.
A mix of wine connoisseurs, enthusiasts, jolly makers and cultural activists braved Friday night rain to join the Alliance Française’s Beaujolais Nouveau – an event showcasing the diversity of French cultures at Thapong’s No. 1 Ladies Coffee House restaurant. The wine tasting session, which celebrates the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau to Botswana, provided a rare outing opportunity for most of Gaborone’s socialites and merry-makers, many of whom have enduring an enforced boredom occasioned by the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic. Ambassador of France to Botswana, Laurence Beau opened the event with a toast and later on regaled patrons with her exquisite dance skills on the dancing floor, leaving many, including yours truly, pleasantly astonished. The story of Beaujolais Nouveau is said to have started in 1951, when wine producers decided to protest against a new regulation and to sell their wine immediately after the winemaking process. It has since become an international event and sold in the entire world on the third Thursday of November every year, according to Aurélie Gbeffa. Also gracing the event was none other than Botswana’s emerging cultural icon, Mpho Sebina. According to Aurélie Gbeffa, the Aliance Francaise’s Director, Beaujolais Nouveau is a “primeur” wine essentially made with the grape variety Gamay, and produced in the vineyard of Beaujolais, which is located in the centre of France, north of Lyon. There was food galore comprising cold meat, bread rolls, grapes and cheese, the latter sponsored by Lactalis Botswana, formerly Parmalat. Other sponsors included Bolloré Logistics and the No. 1 Ladies Coffee House restaurant.
Rain, sweet rain scurried all the plans to have the event hosted inside the No. 1 Ladies Coffee House restaurant when at the exact starting time, it began raining thereby compelling organisers to relocate to a covered open hall within the compound. Waiters and waitresses including poor old Merapelo, ran helter-skelter as they rearranged all the decor including moving the sound system to offer a unique ambience fit for a cultural organisation celebrating its 40th Anniversary.