Model says she was duped by Botswana partners
In light of last week’s article titled “Kaone Kario Fingered in Modelling Scam,” the international supermodel has spoken out to clear her name and to set the record straight.
In a statement sent To Voice entertainment, Kario, explained that she was initially approached by a local company called Mossyde (owned and managed by Safie Sekgwa) to partner with them for a series of modelling workshops in Botswana.
The South African based model went on to say, “Because of my lifelong dream to see the development of the Botswana modelling industry and other related industries as well as my belief that Botswana models can make it on the international stage if given the right guidance, I agreed to partner with Mossyde/Safie Sekgwa.
Their workshop was thus then rebranded as the Professional Modelling Workshop with Kaone Kario,” (“PMW”)
“However, on the 8th of July 2022, after much wrangling and wrestling behind the scenes and with a devastated heart, I released a statement to stakeholders, media, and participants that had registered for and/or sponsored the Professional Modelling Workshop with Kaone Kario that due to creative and moral differences with the Botswana partners, I could no longer in good conscience continue to be involved or associated in any capacity with this particular Modeling Workshop.”
Mario further highlighted that prior to this engagement, she had spent years engaging with and asking for assistance from relevant stakeholders, both private and government, to do these kinds of workshops in Botswana.
She told The Voice Entertainment that her dream had always been to help change someone else’s story, to create a bridge for models from Botswana to have access to agents internationally and also to add to the growth of so many other creatives that the fashion world could not exist without such as photographers, makeup artists and art directors to name a few.
“The way that Mossyde/Safie Sekgwa was planning to do the workshops did not meet my expectations and was not in line with my objectives and wishes to see our models on the international stage. This is the reason why I had to take the decision to no longer be involved with the PMW,” she elaborated
Consequently, Kario decided to stage a series of workshops on her own to be branded as the Model Workshop with Kaone Kario sometime this year, with dates to be communicated in due time.
The good news for those who had paid the registration fee is that they will not be required to pay again to participate in this workshop.
“All those that had initially registered and paid because they thought I would be a part of PMW, will not be required to pay any registration fees again. They need only to email their proof of payment/registration to creativebw2022@gmail.com. I have responded to everyone that reached out to me and have informed them of this.”
Kaone has also highlighted that like the hopeful models who registered for the workshop, she was also duped by her Botswana partners.
“While my name has continued to be used to source funds, they need to know that I too was duped and I am busy untangling it all. I am engaging with the relevant law enforcement authorities to address this.” She advised all those seeking a monetary refund to directly reach the aforementioned parties.
Kario concluded, “My error in judgment is why we are here. This is why I have taken the decision that all participants who had paid Mossyde/Safie Sekgwa will not be expected to pay again for the Model Workshop with Kaone Kario”
