Miss World 2021, the 70th edition of Miss World, will be held on 16th March 2022 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In a recent announcement made by the Miss World organization, Top 40 delegates were selected to enter the final leg of the competition.
In a series of features, here are the forty delegates, in no particular order, (15 from the fast-track competitions and 25 through judges’ choice) who will fly to Puerto Rico for the coronation night.
Palesa Molefe representing Botswana made it to Top 40 by winning the Head-to-Head fast track challenge. She also placed Top 27 at the Talent competition and Top 32 at the Sports competition. Palesa was crowned Miss World Botswana 2021 on 30th October last year in Limkokwing Hall of Fame in Gaborone at 22 years of age. The stunning African beauty is an actress, writer and a producer.
Molefe has created her own NGO agency Botswana United Artists, which highlights artists and Mental Health. “I want to take this moment to thank every single person who played a role, big and small to the contribution of pushing for inclusion of different representations of beauty in the pageant world”, she quoted.
Palesa has not only captivated people online with her natural beauty and charming personality, but she also has an attractive camera presence. She speaks her heart and that too with conviction. Take a look at the Beauty with a Purpose project of Palesa –
In the video, Palesa motivates young schoolgirls on the value of sound mental health. “Mental health refers to the state of our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It impacts the way we feel, the way we act, the way we think and this makes it a very important aspect of our lives … how we can become great contributors of our society. And, I believe without positive mental health, it is difficult and almost impossible to unlock your true potential”, she spoke.
Molefe proudly calls her mom as her biggest inspiration. She speaks of her lovingly as she says, “I was raised by a fighter, a woman who not only fought for herself but for everyone around her. She sees the good in everyone… I am a product of love, peace and cultural traditions, and in that I had to discover how I wanted to navigate the world.”
She became the first woman in the country’s pageant history to win with a bald head, recognizing black beauty on the international stage. Botswana’s highest placement was in 2010 when Emma Wareus was adjudged 1st runner-up and won Miss World Africa title. The country is yet to pioneer its win at Miss World.