Who is the real Mrs Botswana?

*Police involved in dispute over pageantry identity

Confusion is stirring up on social media as to who the real Mrs Botswana is as there are two beauty queens laying claim to the crown.

The two are Boipelo Erasmus embedded as Mrs Botswana 2022/23 and Daphney Muzila who is Mrs African World 2022/23.

In a matter that is currently being handled by the Broadhurst Police, the Director of Mrs Botswana, Kgalalelo Lesetedi is accusing the Director of Mrs African World, Jennifer Setapenyane of illegally using a trademark she founded in 2015.

“Muzila no longer wears the Mrs African World sash, instead she wears one that is written Mrs Botswana World, which is my trademark,” a fuming Lesetedi told The Voice.

The Mrs Botswana Director further said they have relayed their concerns to the other camp without much success, instead continues to use the Mrs Botswana hashtag on their Facebook posts.

Lesetedi is worried that the situation is creating confusion for her well-wishers, sponsors and business partners, citing an example where Dr Gure handed out hampers to the other camp.

“He said he thought Mrs African World queen was affiliated to us. We’ve been working with Dr Gure for three years. We’ve engaged him as a judge and he takes care of our queens,” said Lesetedi.

“If they’re capable of this, what else are they doing to capitalize on my trademark which I’ve registered and have been authorized to use by CIPA,” she said rhetorically.

She said when she reported the matter to CIPA, she was advised to lodge a complaint with the police.

“On December 8th we were called to the Police station, but the other camp didn’t show up,” revealed Lesetedi.

Meanwhile Setapenyane accused her rival of playing dirty and hellbent on tainting her brand.

In a telephone interview with this publication, Setapenyane said her pageant is registered with Mrs World and the license states that Muzila is Mrs African World when she is in Botswana but when she competes internationally, she’s referred to as Mrs Botswana World.

“Mma Lesetedi should back off, respect us and respect our queen, Daphney, as much as she wants people to respect her brand,” fired Setapenyane.

“I do not understand what she’s trying to do. Is she trying to destroy my brand and the queen’s reputation? We are not using her trademark as she claims,” said Setapenyane.