The 19-year old from Gaborone received BWP30,000 [...]]]> Tirelo Ramasedi won Miss Universe Botswana 2010 title at the Gaborone International Convention Center (GICC) on Sunday morning, July 11, 2010. Ramasedi will be the country’s representative for the Miss Universe 2010 beauty pageant which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on August 23.

The 19-year old from Gaborone received BWP30,000 while first princess Refilwe Lesole received BWP15,000 and second princess Itseng Kgomotso won BWP10,000. Kgomotso is Miss Botswana 2008 who represented the country in Miss World 2008 in South Africa. She’s considered as the crowd’s favorite but the judges chose Ramasedi because of her impressive answer in the Q&A round.

When asked about the role of diamonds terms of the economic development of Botswana since independence, Ramasedi said that because of diamonds Botswana’s revenue have been provided with free health and educational services. She said that 33 percent of Botswana’s gross domestic product (GDP) is generated solely from diamonds, which proves that diamonds play a bigger role in the country’s economy.

According to one of the judges, Kago Mmopi, they were not only impress on Ramasedi’s answer in the final round but they have seen her potential during the pre-judging session. He said that they are not really judging the contestants according to their heights and slim figures but they were more focus on the contestant’s intellectual ability, posture, attitude, and the way they walk and carry their outfits.

Special awards were given to Sailor Mogotsinyane for “Miss Photogenic,” Thabang Malebye for “Miss Swimsuit,” Keamogetse Tema for “Miss Stylish,” Matilda for “Best Gown,” and Pearl Williams for “Miss Congeniality” category.

*Picture credit: missbotswana.net