On May 26, Mpule Kwelagobe, a 19-year-old Gaborone beauty, won the greatest beauty pageant on Earth. She was crowned by outgoing queen Wendy Fitzwilliams of Trinidad & Tobago. It was the first time Botswana sent a representative to Miss Universe, which made it even more unexpected. To be number one is not something new for Mpule. She is the only woman in her class studying electrical engineering. She also won a award for being the best female student of her country.
The world of glamour has not always been part of Mpule's world. She comes from humble beginnings and lives in a small tin-roofed home. In a country where there are few professional photographers, her early modelling experience was for a local clothes boutique. Two years ago she represented Botswana in the Miss World pageant. Although a favorite, she did not make the semi-finals in that pageant.
How big was her victory in her countrymen opinions? " She put us on the map. I am sure a lot of people were wondering where on earth we were. Now they now", said a local newspaper vendor. If Africa has had two other winners in the past, South Africa's Margaret Gardiner in 1978, and Michelle McLean of Namibia in 1992, Mpule is the first black woman from her continent ever to take the crown.
She wants to help those affected by the HIV virus and work on prevention campaigns. Botswana has the highest percentage of people with AIDS in the world. She will certainly do a great job, following the footsteps of her two extraordinary predecessors, Brook Lee and Wendy Fitzwilliams.
Congratulations Mpule! Congratulations Botswana!
