Mr and Miss Beauty with Albinism king, queen crowned
The Mr and Miss Beauty with Albinism Botswana 2022 queen and king crowned on Saturday walked away with a number of prizes.
The duo, 26-year-old Kabo Balotlhanyi (king) and the new queen Laone Baile (23) went home each P10,000 richer, courtesy of the Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) and the Gaborone University College (GUC) of Law and Professional Studies. Baile, who also scooped Miss Personality title, was awarded an acoustic guitar together with Gift Ntwakgolo who was also crowned Mr Personality. Ntwakgolo also scored himself a first prince title. On the other hand, Kgalalelo Tumoyagae won herself a first princess title. Karabo Ramabu and Bongani Mokoena got second prince and princess positions respectively.
All top eight finalists will get GUC scholarships. Both the princes and princesses walked away with medals. Above all, the beauty pageant was mesmerising. The contestants paraded sportswear, cultural gear as well as evening gowns.
Addressing the audience, Mr and Miss Beauty with Albinism Botswana director, Philadelphia Motladile- Kenneth explained that the colorless walk was meant for the public to treat people with albinism differently. “I am actually very delighted to stand here and introduce the third edition of Mr & Miss Beauty with Albinism Botswana 2022 of which its genesis is from 2018 with a mandate to close the stigma and discrimination gap towards persons with albinism in Botswana. Since years past to date, persons with albinism continue to face harsh social treatment from the society that prevents them from enjoying their many human rights like all Batswana and to live a dignified life without barriers. Right from birth to classroom to adult stage, there have been and still we see and experience a lot of red tapes that are brought in by deliberate stigma and discrimination towards the albinism community.
“I believe that if these issues are addressed and dealt with in more holistic approach and that albinism friendly environment and acceptance, our families, our society would have benefitted so much from the talents and expertise that persons with albinism would bring. This pageant came as a remedy to bring albinism to the world stage through beauty and poise starting here in Botswana.
In August 2022 we had a Fashion Show, which was an activation for this pageant. The whole idea behind the Fashion Show was to raise funds and raise awareness on albinism as a whole and I must say it was not as successful as we wished and wanted,” she said.
She also thanked different sponsors for their continued support saying it gave them courage to keep sensitising the community about albinism and advocating the right of people living with albinism.