| "> | | | | British colony, was a democratic country. The African |
| THE AFRICAN QUEEN | | | | country did not have a dictator as Hisséne |
| If you could be a reporter for one day and interview | | | | Habre (Chad) or Charles Taylor |
| any one person in Africa, who would it be and why? | | | | (Liberia).Botswana´s human development |
| Ask people this question and they usually answer, | | | | system was once considered among the best in the |
| Ms.Kwelagobe.The international community recognized | | | | Third World. A world of freedom and peace, without |
| the Botswana´s Mpule Kwelagobe for her fight | | | | wars, discrimination and poverty. |
| against AIDS in the world.Unfortunately, the AIDS | | | | Today, Botswana has one of the world´s |
| pandemic of 1983-2006 killed more people than | | | | highest rates of AIDS. The World Health Organization |
| Cambodian genocide (1975-1979). | | | | (WHO) estimates that about one-third of the adult |
| Mpule was born the youngest of three children to | | | | population has HIV/AIDS. The average life |
| Justice and Dibelang Kwelagobe in Gaborone, | | | | expectancy in the African country has fallen from 67 |
| Botswana´s capital, in 1979. Her name means | | | | years to 47 as a result of AIDS. The number of |
| "one who comes with the rain".From 1993 to 1997, | | | | people living with HIV and AIDS is getting worse in |
| she was a sportswoman in her country.Furthermore, | | | | Botswana. About 80 persons are infected with HIV |
| Mpule was fifteen years old and she was crowned | | | | every day. There are 27 million people infected with |
| Miss Leo Club in 1995. | | | | HIV in Africa. The epidemics in Lesotho, Namibia, |
| In 1997 her family moved to Lobatse, Botswana | | | | Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland are continuing |
| where she attended hight school. Her favorites | | | | to grow. |
| subject were mathematics and physics.However, the | | | | Mpule Kwelagobe works with organizations to |
| girl won an important contest, and in November that | | | | promote HIV /AIDS awareness in the world. She |
| year the new Miss Botswana-World went to Miss | | | | works with the AmFar (Americans for AIDS |
| World.The 1997 Miss World was held in Seychelles, a | | | | Research), God Love We Deliver and Harvard AIDS |
| little paradise, but Mpule Kwelagobe did not qualify for | | | | Institute. Since then she has visited many people |
| the semifinals. | | | | affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa, Asia, Europe and the |
| She once said, "Many things have happened in my life | | | | United States.For many times, she has had interviews |
| since that day. My horizons were first broadened | | | | with politicians such as Nelson Mandela.At that time, |
| with my experiences at Miss World in the Seychelles. | | | | with support private and public, she founded the |
| MS. KWELAGOBE:AN ANTI-AIDS LEADER | | | | "Mpule Kwelagobe Children´s village houses |
| The year 1999 signified a complete metamorphosis in | | | | 400 children living with HIV and AIDS. Furthermore, |
| the life of Mapule Kwelagobe.She was crowned Miss | | | | the first black African Miss Universe established an |
| Botswana-Universe in the 1st Annual Pageant help in | | | | anti-AIDS foundation. |
| Gaborone, a multiracial city known for its hospitality.In | | | | In the 21st century, she was named UN Goodwill |
| other words, She qualified for the Miss Universe , an | | | | Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund |
| annual international beauty contest.Miss Universe | | | | (UNFPA). In 2001, Mpule was awarded the Jonathan |
| pageant was help in Trinidad & Tobago, the | | | | Mann Health Human Rights Award. Former Miss |
| birthplace of the first black Miss Universe.Before | | | | Botswana received the award for her significant |
| winning Miss Botswana-Universe, Mpule received a | | | | contributions to world health. "Jonathan would have |
| scholarship to study electronic engineering. | | | | been especially happy learn that one of the recipients |
| In the small Caribbean island-nation of Trinidad & | | | | of the award this year is Mpule Kwelagobe", said |
| Tobago, she was not favorite. However, under the | | | | Nicholas Dodd, who worked wholeheartedly in the |
| leadership of Angelo John, designer, Miss Botswana | | | | promotion of the AIDS policy at the World Health |
| had the highest semifinal score. Her abnegation and | | | | Organization (WHO). |
| constancy were rewarded at the Miss Universe.For | | | | Mpule Keneilwe Kewaloge admires Sir Seretse Khama, |
| many judges, Miss Botswana was the perfect African | | | | who was a charismatic former president of |
| dream girl: slim, exotic face and natural-looking.Finally, | | | | Botswana from 1966 to 1980. Sir Seretse Khama |
| Miss Botswana was crowned the last Miss Universe | | | | worked for a unified Botswana and gave the nation |
| of the 20thcentury on May 26th, 1999 in | | | | added prominence on the Third World stage. she |
| Chaguaramas,one of the most beautiful places in the | | | | once said, "I would have loved to have interviewed |
| Caribbean.She was crowned Miss Universe 1999 by | | | | Sir Seretse Khama-Botswana´s just president. |
| Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam of Trinidad & | | | | He was practical man with vision, who fought again |
| Tobago, the third black winner of the contest. | | | | discrimination, to give Botswana democratic rights". |
| Since 1999, Mpule Kwelagobe became an anti-AIDS | | | | I think that Mpule is a symbol of feminine power in |
| activist in the Third World countries.She used her title | | | | the 21st century. Finally, I would like to finish my |
| to champion HIV/AIDS prevention and education. | | | | article with a message by Ms. Kwelagobe : "We are |
| Certainly, she loves her country and Africa. | | | | all infected with this virus because we all live in a |
| Throughout the 20th century, Botswana, an ex | | | | country (Botswana) that is infected. |