Palesa in Ivory Coast
Miss World-Botswana, Palesa Molefe jetted out of the country this week (Wednesday) for Cote d'ivoire. Molefe will not be the only beauty queen who will be in Cote d'ivoire. The Miss World organisation will also be represented by Miss World Chairman and CEO, Julia Morley and reigning Miss World, Karolina Bielawska who will arrive on Friday. Joining them is none other than Sienna Evans (Miss World-Bahamas), Anna Leitch (Miss World-Europe), Shudufhadzo Musida (Miss World-South Africa) and the Beauty with a purpose winner, Amar Pacheco (Miss World Ecuador), Amani
Layouni (Miss World-Tunisia) who are penciled to pay tribute to Yace. According to information on the Miss World page, during the five-day tour they will get to witness Yace as she crowns her successor during the Miss Cote d’Ivoire 2022 Final on 2nd July before embarking on her official duties as Miss World Africa. On the 6th July, there will be a special presentation with the First Lady of Cote d'Ivoire, Dominique Ouattara.
Twenty-eight finalists are slated to battle it out for the title of national queen at the finals, penciled to take place at the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire on Saturday and will take part in a number of preliminary events in the lead up to the grand finale. The Winner of Miss Cote d’Ivoire 2022 will represent Cote d’Ivoire at the 71st Miss World Final, where reigning Miss World, Karolina Bielawska will crown her successor. Molefe’s trip is also seen as a reunion with her dear friend, the beautiful Olivia Yace, of Cote d'ivoire and Miss World-Africa. Earlier this year, Yace won the hearts and admiration of Batswana when at the eleventh hour, she lent Molefe a dress, after a wardrobe malfunction, during the 2020 Miss World final.
The queen of smiles is expected to attend the grand finale adorned in an intricate and beautiful gown exclusively made by her official designer, Delayna Scott. The designer wants Batswana and the rest of the world to be equally surprised on Saturday, and did not want to divulge any details about the gown. “You will have to wait to see the dress,” she said. While she did not want to give a sneak preview of what Molefe will wear, the gown is expected to be a one in a million. Meanwhile, for his part, Benjamin Raletsatsi, the organiser of Miss Botswana confirmed the departure of Molefe.
He also said that this engagement follows Molefe’s recent visit to Zambia, where she attended the national finals of Miss Zambia 2022 at the invitation of Vanessa Ukevwe Chinyemba (Miss World-Zambia 2020). He further says that this is an opportunity for Molefe to spread her wings, and showcase her versatility to the world.
“She is a performer, and she gets an opportunity to spread her wings and influence across the world,” he explains. He also said that on her return, she will work on the launch of her Foundation, and continue with her beauty with a purpose project, as well as assist in the organising of the crowning of a new queen.