22 year old Mosetsanagape Setlhare will represent Botswana at the Top Model Worldwide competition in London, an opportunity that will catapult her right to the top of the modelling industry. The Maun born beauty will in a few days leave for London to participate in the global modelling competition on April 1 and 2. She believes she will represent the country well as she is more than prepared to compete with the best in the world.
“I have never been more prepared than I am now,” she said in an interview.
Setlhare said she has always had a burning passion for modelling and she took the opportunity to try it out as soon as she was of age. However, it was not an easy task as she had to overcome many hurdles along the way.
“Being a model in Botswana is not easy. Until you have made a name for yourself in the industry it’s very hard to breakthrough,” she said.
She said the modelling industry in Botswana is not well developed, which makes the market very single focused with limited diversity. But these challenges made her explore other opportunities outside the country and that’s how she landed an opportunity to participate in the Top Model Worldwide.
“When you love something dearly you will always go out of your way to pursue your dreams. I started applying for gigs in London and finally landed a chance to audition for Top Model Worldwide. I passed through two selection stages and was privileged enough to make the cut with other 40 female models from around the world,” said Setlhare.
Other countries that will participate in the competition are Sweden, South Africa, Hawaii, Austria, Zimbabwe and Nigeria just to name a few. The 1.75m cat walker keeps healthy by hiking up Tlokweng hill three times a week and eating healthy at all times. A last born of three, Setlhare has since made appearances at fashion shows such as Judark Kuvan, Fashion Mentor, Riverwalk shops spring collection, JB sports line, Sadie lingerie line, Rit-ac collection just to name a few.
While the grand for prize for this year’s competition has not yet been clarified, last year’s top model won a cash prize, a holiday trip, one year modelling contract at a certain agency and a six months free shopping.
“My biggest inspiration is Behati Prinsloo, but I look up to Kaone Kario who has won Face of Africa. I see myself modelling in either London or New York in the next five years, pushing my dream and probably married,” said Setlhare.
