MAUN residents flocked to Maitlamo Junior Secondary School last Friday night to witness a vibrant beauty pageant organised by the Office of the District Commissioner. The event served as a fundraiser for the upcoming District Wellness Day, scheduled for March 20th.
The competition featured 33 participants 20 female and 13 male representing various government departments, including the Maun Police, Water Utilities Corporation (WUC), the Office of the District Commissioner, and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Contestants compet-ed in both singles and couples’ categories.
Water Utilities Corporation employees Kealeboga Kayton Mosiiwa and Janet Tlhabano were crowned Mr. and Miss North West District Wellness King and Queen after a show-stopping per-formance in the couples’ category. Their victory earned them a dinner for two at Greys Eden Hotel, sponsored by Chobe Holdings.
Securing second place in the couples’ category were Okabo Gaopelo and Ruth Moyo of the Maun Police, who won a camel ride experience sponsored by Okavango Camel Ride. The third-place couple, Gaolethoo Kgatitswe (BOPA) and Adolphus Bakhiai (Office of the District Com-missioner), also received a camel ride experience from the same sponsor.
In the individual categories, Kealeboga Kayton Mosiiwa doubled his success by being crowned Mr. North West District Wellness 2026. His stylish performance edged out first prince Okabo Gaopelo and second prince Adolphus Bakhiai.
On the female side, Janet Tlhabano (WUC) dominated the stage to claim the Miss North West District Wellness 2026 title. Patricia Kefas of Tribal Administration was named first princess, while Bame Sussan Mokotedi from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks took third place.
The singles’ competition saw contestants’ parade in denim and T-shirts, traditional attire, and formal evening wear. For their wins, Mosiiwa and Tlhabano were awarded a two-night stay at the Crocodile Camp Presidential Suite. The runners-up received two-night executive stays at Rustic Gate African Excursion.
Delivering the keynote address, North West District Commissioner Thabang Waloka emphasised that the pageant was more than a fashion show. “This is a fundraising initiative for our Wellness Day,” Waloka stated. “Our goal was to raise P20,000. We have successfully raised P17,000 so far, leaving us just P3,000 short of our target.”
Waloka noted that the initiative aligns with the Vision 2036 pillar of self-reliance, encouraging departments to find internal solutions rather than relying solely on external aid.
He further urged the public to prioritize their health. “In our busy professional lives, we often overlook the silent struggles that impact our well-being,” Waloka said. He explained that the up-coming Wellness Day will focus on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as mental health issues like workplace stress and burnout.
The District Commissioner concluded by thanking the community for their ticket purchases and acknowledging sponsors, including Crocodile Camp, Woolworths, Coolpage Salon, D&K Associates, and MC & Equipment Hire, for their vital support.
