Bank Gaborone hosted a successful Miss Interbank pageant this past weekend at Ditshupo Hall where Bank of Botswana’s Prudence Kahuku was crowned Miss Interbank 2013. First National Bank’s Maipelo Kusi was 1st princess while Stanbic Bank’s Patricia Johanna Reynolds was crowned the 2nd princess. Speaking at the pageant, Bank Gaborone’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Andre Bester said the pageant was meant to give bankers an opportunity to relax, unwind, showcase their different talents away from their daily offi ce work and interact with their customers. The notion that fi nancial institutions employ some of the most beautiful women was confi rmed as 12 financial institutions slugged it out for the coveted crown. Urged on by the crowd, the 20 contestants strutted their elegant evening wear designed by Lesedi Matlapeng and swimwear designed by Mothusi Lesolle of iZura. After their fi rst parade and choreography by Mpho Motlhabani, award winning motswako artist ATI made a grand entrance and delivered his hit track “ Ke Lekhete” to a screaming crowd followed by another performance by Mophato dance group. The highlight of the event was when celebrity guest couple Connie and Shona Ferguson made an appearance at the prestigious pageant. In her speech Connie said, “I am completely bedazzled, people always thought people in the finance industry don’t know how to have fun but clearly they were wrong. I have seen a lot of great talent here tonight, I know it’s not an easy thing to be onstage and parade in front of a lot of people. Pageants have always been associated with beauty and no brains but tonight we see ladies with a career doing it as a way to unwind and have fun. Big up’s to interbank’s for putting together such an amazing show and a great audience that knows how to have fun.” However the best was saved for last. Judges, who included Peo Sebotho from Big Brother fame and Prime Time presenter, Monica Somolekae Miss Botswana 1995, Buhle Mguni manager of MAC cosmetics store, radio personality Tshepang “T-Izzy” Motsisi and former Btv news anchor Treasure Mothobi selected the top three. Miss Interbanks walked away with P10 000 cash, 1st princess P5 000 and 2nd princess P3000. In an interview with Gazette business one of the event’s attendees, Bontle Masala said this year’s pageant was the crème dela crème as compared to the previous pageants. “This event was well organized and gave me my money’s worth, well done to the organizing team. The audience cooperated well as we were all colourfully dressed in classic colour blocking. The highlight of the event for me was when motorbikes raided the stage and seeing Connie and Shona for the very fi rst time. I am also happy with the judge’s decision as the best girls won and indeed they represented beauty with brains.,” she said. The participating institutions in Miss Interbank included Bank Gaborone, Botswana Savings Bank, Botswana Building Society, Barclays Bank, Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), National Development Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, First National Bank, Banc ABC, Capital Bank, Stanbic Bank and Bank of Botswana. Monsieur, Eleganza, Masa Centre, DC Tours, Mafi a Soul and O3 purifi ed still sponsored the event.
Bank of Botswana’s Kahuku crowned Miss Interbank 2013
