Betty Mbaembae became the judges’ choice from a bevy of ten contestants over the weekend as she was crowned Miss Millennium 2023.
The first runner up position was snatched by 41-year-old Shakila Kebabope who hails from Molepolole while 59-year-old Kelebeletse Nthobatsang of Moshupa scooped second runner up title.
Mbaembae (45), emerged victorious as the first local queen from Mogoditshane since the pageant’s inception 15 years ago.
“I cannot explain how I feel but I prepared for this. I was one of the finalists last year,” she explained jubilantly.
The resilient queen shared that last year when she took part in the pageant, she experienced misery as she lacked funds hence sourced out a loan to enable her to compete.
Aligning her purpose with her past experience as a breast cancer survivor, she is committed to utilise the pageant platform to create breast cancer awareness and promote early detection.
“I intend to advocate for women who are battling breast cancer as they face lashes from men that if they remove their breast they are no longer woman enough,” she pointed out.
She highlighted that her role is to encourage women going through emotional abuse to accept themselves and embrace their unique beauty and in executing the mandate, she will collaborate with Journey of Hope where she is currently serving as well as hospitals.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Youth, Gender Sports and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare applauded the pageant organisers for consistency over the years noting that Mogoditshane as a community takes pride in the pageant.
“This pageant is about the stimulation of Mogoditshane economy,” he added.
Meanwhile, acclaimed Corporate Communications Architect, Mercy Thebe who was entrusted with the role of Chief Judge, outlined that they looked for a well rounded woman with admirable principles.
The pageant caters for women over the age of 40, and is an organization that strongly advocates for women empowerment, community outreach and creation of safe spaces for the boy and girl child.