Beauty Pageant Director dumps Model at 11th hour!
The National Director of Awaited Models Agency, who also serves as an affiliate of Mr. Oceans World, Segolame Kudumedi, has unceremoniously withdrawn Botswana representative Kabelo Makulwane from participating at the Mr. Ocean 2017 World final penciled for November 14th in Taiwan China.Makulwane won the Oceans Botswana title early this year and that automatically earned him an opportunity to represent the country at the upcoming world event.
However, Makulwane got the shock of his life last week when the pageant local director (Kudumedi) publicly announced on social media that he (Makulwane) would no longer represent Botswana in China and that his runner up Moreetsi Bosupeng would take over. The short statement on reads: “ Due to unforeseen circumstances Mr Oceans Botswana will not make it. This means his first runner up Bosupeng will take over. All the best young man.”
According to the devastated Makulwane, Kudumedi never bothered to consult him about her sudden decision. “A few weeks ago she asked me if I would manage to travel to China and I told her that I was still sourcing funds for the trip. But now all of a sudden it appears that I have been sidelined,” he lamented. The 27-year-old Kang born model told Vibe that he is currently unsettled and to add salt to his injury, the director has distanced herself and left him in the dark regarding the new developments. He said that representing Botswana in China would have been a dream comes true for him. However he is currently in dire straits but was somehow still hopeful that given a chance, he would be able to raise the needed funds.
Reached for comment, Kudumedi threw a tantrum and told this reporter that she was not interested in discussing the issue. “I was not there when you approached Makulwane for your article and I will not interfere now, all I did was announce who is going and who is not,” she said before hanging up.
However this publication has it in good authority that Makulwane and Kudumedi‘s relationship can be traced from far back. He has been under the tutelage of Kudumedi at her modelling Agency; in fact the Ocean King was using the agency to prepare for the world finals in Taiwan. It was also through the assistance of Kudumedi that Makulwane emerged the winner of the first ever Mr. &Miss Bakgalagari beauty pageant (her brain child) in 2015. Makulwane explained that he is failing to recall as to where their relationship could have turned sour, as she has been an inspiration to him in the fashion industry.
Meanwhile, Bosupeng could hardly contain his excitement. “The director approached me on the 3rd of October saying Makulwane will not be able to participate and I grabbed the opportunity,” he said. Fortunately for him, his parents have volunteered to cover all his expenses, which are estimated to be close to P15, 000. The China Committee covers the return flight, accommodation and meals.
When asked if he was aware of Makulwane’s situation, Bosupeng said they had not discussed the matter and he believed that there were no hard feelings because he (Makulwane) had wished him well.