FREE AS A BIRD
There are widely made claims that Miss Botswana Anicia Gaothusi is like a jailed bird blocked from expressing herself over her misgivings. These claims have been dismissed by the Miss Botswana organisation who told this publication that the queen is free to publicly voice out her concerns at any day and any time.
In an interview with The Midweek Sun, the organisation said the queen should not be treated like someone not capable of voicing out her concerns, she is not a walkover and cannot get bullied while she watches helplessly.
A few days ago, the Miss Botswana organisation together with the queen came out to deny allegations that the queen is unhappy and suffering behind closed.
It was alleged that she was not getting paid well and not getting most of the benefits that came with winning the Miss Botswana title. Her wardrobe was also heavily criticised.
The purpose of coming out was to put out the raging fire as Batswana were busy hurling brickbats at the organisation’s management, especially the director, Benjamin Raletsatsi.
However, even after assuring the nation that she is well, Gaothusi’s well-wishers were still not convinced.
They argued that they do not expect her to bite the hand that feeds her by telling it all, that she does not want to lose her title and destroy her dreams of walking the Miss World stage.
When this publication asked the Miss Botswana organisation if there are any rules forbidding the queen to come out and speak when not happy they replied:
“While the queen enjoys freedom of expression, in line with our advocacy for free speech, she is also guided by our organisation’s rules of engagement, you will appreciate all organisations have rules of engagement including The Midweek Sun.
“We encourage open dialogue within the organisation between the management and our queen, and we believe that concerns should be addressed internally for resolution. “As for public perceptions, we understand that we cannot control how people react or comment on certain situations, our goal is to learn from the criticism and improve where possible.”
Gaothusi added saying, “Yes, I am free. I don’t think there are any rules which stop me from publicising my complaint. Miss Botswana like any other organisation has a structure that governs it.
“Therefore, I complain to the person who is responsible be it my designers, stylist and whoever is dealing with me as it is easy to complain to them to fix their mistake.
“If the problem is not fixed, that’s when I complain to the higher management. Same way there are ways we complain at schools or at work you complain by following the structure of governance.”
The organisation went on to explain that even post the Miss Botswana era, queens such as Lesego Chombo and Palesa Molefe are free to tell it all, adding there is no how they can dictate how they tell their experience, all are free to publicly talk.
“We do not force our queens to do anything, we are here as facilitators. Both our current queen and past queens are free to air their views on their experience. We make their dreams possible. It is sad that there is a narrative out there that wants to make us an enemy of the very people we serve and propel us to the world stage.
“Without them the organisation doesn’t exist. But without the organisation, the opportunities we present would also not exist. Miss Botswana organisation continues to engage and work with former queens on strategic areas.
“For instance, some have been engaged on recruitment/auditions, some have been engaged as judges of the finale, some as mentors, others as hosts during the Miss Botswana boot-camps all the way to the crowning night.”
Miss Botswana organisation admitted to The Midweek Sun that recently, the queen raised some concerns about her wardrobe.
“While several factors contribute to the situation, we have since engaged multiple designers to assist with her wardrobe needs. The queen is actively guiding the designers to ensure her preferences are reflected, as our priority is to ensure she feels confident and comfortable.
“This is an ongoing process, and we are committed to making adjustments as needed to support her in every way possible.”
In an interview with The Midweek Sun, the organisation said the queen should not be treated like someone not capable of voicing out her concerns, she is not a walkover and cannot get bullied while she watches helplessly.
A few days ago, the Miss Botswana organisation together with the queen came out to deny allegations that the queen is unhappy and suffering behind closed.
It was alleged that she was not getting paid well and not getting most of the benefits that came with winning the Miss Botswana title. Her wardrobe was also heavily criticised.
The purpose of coming out was to put out the raging fire as Batswana were busy hurling brickbats at the organisation’s management, especially the director, Benjamin Raletsatsi.
However, even after assuring the nation that she is well, Gaothusi’s well-wishers were still not convinced.
They argued that they do not expect her to bite the hand that feeds her by telling it all, that she does not want to lose her title and destroy her dreams of walking the Miss World stage.
When this publication asked the Miss Botswana organisation if there are any rules forbidding the queen to come out and speak when not happy they replied:
“While the queen enjoys freedom of expression, in line with our advocacy for free speech, she is also guided by our organisation’s rules of engagement, you will appreciate all organisations have rules of engagement including The Midweek Sun.
“We encourage open dialogue within the organisation between the management and our queen, and we believe that concerns should be addressed internally for resolution. “As for public perceptions, we understand that we cannot control how people react or comment on certain situations, our goal is to learn from the criticism and improve where possible.”
Gaothusi added saying, “Yes, I am free. I don’t think there are any rules which stop me from publicising my complaint. Miss Botswana like any other organisation has a structure that governs it.
“Therefore, I complain to the person who is responsible be it my designers, stylist and whoever is dealing with me as it is easy to complain to them to fix their mistake.
“If the problem is not fixed, that’s when I complain to the higher management. Same way there are ways we complain at schools or at work you complain by following the structure of governance.”
The organisation went on to explain that even post the Miss Botswana era, queens such as Lesego Chombo and Palesa Molefe are free to tell it all, adding there is no how they can dictate how they tell their experience, all are free to publicly talk.
“We do not force our queens to do anything, we are here as facilitators. Both our current queen and past queens are free to air their views on their experience. We make their dreams possible. It is sad that there is a narrative out there that wants to make us an enemy of the very people we serve and propel us to the world stage.
“Without them the organisation doesn’t exist. But without the organisation, the opportunities we present would also not exist. Miss Botswana organisation continues to engage and work with former queens on strategic areas.
“For instance, some have been engaged on recruitment/auditions, some have been engaged as judges of the finale, some as mentors, others as hosts during the Miss Botswana boot-camps all the way to the crowning night.”
Miss Botswana organisation admitted to The Midweek Sun that recently, the queen raised some concerns about her wardrobe.
“While several factors contribute to the situation, we have since engaged multiple designers to assist with her wardrobe needs. The queen is actively guiding the designers to ensure her preferences are reflected, as our priority is to ensure she feels confident and comfortable.
“This is an ongoing process, and we are committed to making adjustments as needed to support her in every way possible.”
