Gaborone – The newly crowned Miss Botswana, Sumaiyah Marope has encouraged young people to register and vote in the general elections.

For her, it will be the first time and she is excited that she will be among the people who would have made their voice heard by casting their votes come October.

The beauty queen said the future depends upon the youth and therefore it is up to them to stand up and take control.

Born and bred in Ramotswa, the 22-years-old Sumaiyah is not new to beauty pageants.

In 2004, she won the Miss European Union (EU) which was held in Hungary.

She said in an interview that it was a new experience for her as she was introduced to many people, especially that there were only two of them from Africa.

She also said that there were only two blacks in the pageant and she was excited as she happened to be the African girl who emerged the winner.

While studying marketing management in South Africa at Talestso College in 2007, she entered the college’s Miss Freshers’ Ball and she also won.

Even though she holds the Miss EU title, Sumaiyah does not consider herself experienced in pageants. She highlighted that preparing for Miss Botswana was hard work, and said she worked hard to get the crown.

She noted that the two pageants were different, especially the organization and skills required.

Therefore, she said when she entered for Miss Botswana she had forgotten what it is like but eventually built up her strength and confidence.

Sumaiyah also commended the professionals who worked with them during the preparations for the event, choreographers and the former beauty queens.

Her religious beliefs raised questions amongst people as to why she entered the pageant. As a Muslim, there are some things which she cannot do as opposed to other religious belief, like participating in beauty pageants.

However, Sumaiyah said she could not have entered the competition without her parents’ permission.

Therefore she noted that her parents gave her full permission and they are supportive.

At the moment, the queen has given people something to talk about. When asked by the judges at the event whether she thinks same sex marriages should be legalized, she boldly said ‘No’.

As such most people assumed that she was anti gay.

But Sumaiyah revealed in an interview that she does not have anything against the homosexuals, but still stands by her word that man and woman should be married as God has predestined. She said that what she was asked by the judges was her opinion and she simply gave it.

Furthermore, she noted that she would not have a problem working with the gay community, as long as they accept her.

Although she has not yet laid down how she would go about working on her projects as the reigning queen. She noted that she will be working with the underprivileged children especially the deaf.

“Charity begins at home, so the deaf society in Ramotswa will be where I start,” said Sumaiyah.

She also stated that she plans to work with the youth and will try to mobilize them to register for the coming elections, as she believes they should take their future in their hands.

Her first days as queen have been hectic and exciting as well.

She said she has been introduced to different people among them the President Lt Gen, Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

Sumaiyah said she recently got to experience and appreciate the different cultures of different people found in Botswana during the President’s visit to Manyana, Moshupa and surrounding villages.

As Miss Botswana and preparing for Miss World pageant, she has a lot of work ahead of her.

She is also a first year student at Limkokwing University studying International Business.

With such a busy schedule, Sumaiyah is optimistic that she will manage her duties well.

However she acknowledges that if push comes to shove then she will be forced to suspend her studies and focus on her reign and preparing for the big event ahead.

When not studying or walking down the ramp, Sumaiyah said she finds time to be with her family and friends adding that she loves hanging around people all the time as she is sociable.

Her little sister Shameelah is her inspiration. She noted that she views the world through the eyes of her sister as the kid always sees the world with a positive eye.

She also commended her parents for raising her beautifully and for the support they have given her.

To the youth of Botswana she said, ‘keep smiling at the world and keep on aiming higher’. Meanwhile, Sumaiyah and her princess received their prizes on Friday.

She got the keys to her Mercedes C200 worth P300 000 and a P50 000 bank guaranteed cheque.

Her princesses Emma Wareus and Naledi Willers also received P50 000 and P10 000 bank guaranteed cheques respectively.

The organisers of Miss Botswana Messrs Bissau Gaobakwe, Thapelo Pabalinga and Tembile Mhlauli who have a five year contract to organize the pageant revealed the 2010 Miss Botswana grand prize which is a SLK Mercedes.