Past Faces of SKY Where are they NOW?

Hey besties. SKY Girls BW has existed since 2014 and throughout the years, we’ve had girls take the pledge to stay true to themselves. Some girls got the opportunity to work with SKY whether being radio presenters, cover girls, or content creators. We interviewed 10 faces of SKY aged 21 to 24 about their journey with SKY, and this is what they had to say.

SKY: What did you do for SKY and how did you get there?

Chipo: I won a radio competition to become a SKY Live radio presenter in 2017.

Mmapula: I started off as a SKY ambassador because the girls in the school I went to (LKC), chose me as one of the girls that inspired them.

Mandipa: I was a radio presenter for the Sunday SKY on Yarona Fm. It was a fitting role for me as I am bubbly and talkative and enjoyed being on the radio. I then became an ambassador, a role which allowed me to explore many interests through various roles such as modelling for the SKY Girls BW magazine, writing articles, appearing on the first SKY Girls BW web series and most recently on The Mix.

Tamia: I was volunteering during shows and I was also part of Matswaka bae which is the SKY radio drama available on 124.

Katleho: I was a radio host for SKY Live, which aired on RB2. I saw a Facebook post that SKY was looking for teen radio hosts and I applied. They called me back for live auditions and I won the final round after SKY Girls voted online! Thank goodness they picked me!

Warona: Worked as radio host of The Sunday SKY on Yarona FM. Co-hosting the SKY Show alongside Mmapula. Interviewing SKY Girls, travelling for SKY Fest with celebrities.

Nthabiseng: I got approached by Gaone. We built a connection, got to know more about each other’s interests and I guess through all that I left a good impression with an amazing opportunity to be a part of an issue that embraces friendships.

Chantel: I have been contributing towards helping SKY Girls stay true to themselves and be their role model with the help of SKY as I am an influencer. I have been featured in a SKY magazine article talking about boss babe moves. I enjoy dancing

The age they joined SKY dancing mostly so I create dance content and work with different brands regarding my social media presence.

Warona: At 15 years old (in 2015).

Chantel: I was 18.

Mmapula: 16.

Tamia: I believe I was 16 when I joined SKY Girls.

Nthabiseng: I was 16.

Chipo: I was 17 years old when I joined.

Mandipa: I joined SKY when I was 14.

Katleho: I joined the team in early 2018 when I was 16 years.

Abie: 14.

SKY: Where are you now and what are you doing?

Katleho: I have now relocated to China. I’m in my final year of university, studying International Trade and Economics. I’m also a commercial model.

Nthabiseng: I recently graduated with a degree in BSc General from the University of Botswana (Class of 2022), where I did a double major in Biology and Chemistry. I’m currently working in marketing and I also freelance as a model and creative director.

Tamia: I work in a law firm as a secretary.

Chantel: I am a content creator, professional dancer, video editor and owner of FiDance Academy. I travel back and forth between South Africa and Botswana as that’s where most of my work is based.

Abie: I graduated from BAC with a degree in International Finance and Banking and I’m still finding my way into the creative, digital industry so look out for me folks.

Mandipa: I am currently in the Netherlands studying Global Responsibility and Leadership. It is an interdisciplinary course based on the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Warona: I am a graduate from Mmadikolo (University of Botswana), having majored in Archaeology and English.

Mmapula: I am in Gaborone, currently working as a Client Services Strategy Manager at an advertising agency.

Chipo: I am in between Lobatse and Gaborone and I am a Digital Strategist managing different companies’ social media accounts.

SKY: How has SKY helped you stay true to yourself?

Abie: The SKY pledge. A promise I made to myself that I had to stick by. I was always bullied at school so being part of SKY made me feel like I belonged and I felt I couldn’t go back on my promise.

Nthabiseng: SKY Girls created a platform where I could reflect on who I wanted to be, what I wanted to represent and the values I wanted to carry. That ability helped me to be bold and to nourish parts of me that made me feel the most alive.

SKY: How was your journey with SKY?

Katleho: My time at SKY is one of my favourite eras because it made me discover my love for media and public speaking. I started on the SKY Live radio show with my co-host, and then went on to attend SKY events. I always enjoyed meeting other SKY girls because there was always so much love.

Abie: SKY taught me to have a kind heart and a sisterly love for everyone, especially women. SKY also taught me how to love myself and to be kind with my thoughts as well.

Chantel: My journey with SKY has been nothing but amazing, the growth and the beautiful work that is being done kept me motivated

Tamia: My journey with SKY was absolutely amazing because being in a clique came with a lot of hate and jealousy but with SKY Girls, we were combined together by one common goal.

SKY: What have you learned from being a SKY Girl?

Warona: One of the greatest lessons I’ve held onto is ‘Stay true to yourself’. Cliché and kinda corny I know, being that it’s the SKY Girls slogan, but it truly is the greatest lesson I’ve learned so far.

Abie: Being a SKY Girl taught me to trust myself. I no longer have to seek validation from anyone. SKY taught me that, I mean, it is a sisterhood after all.

Katleho: Self-control, self-love and discipline.I’m a strong believer that how you love yourself sets the standard for how others love you, and the more love and respect you have the more you will receive.

Mmapula: That I am POWERFUL beyond my comprehension and my dreams and aspirations are mine alone and learning how to say yes and no to the things that bring me closer to my dreams.

Chantel: I have learned that I should stay true to myself and not pressure myself in trying to live a life that is not mine but instead focus on achieving my own, prioritising myself & my dreams.

Nthabiseng: It taught me how to step out of my comfort zone and to be more intentional with the things in my life.

SKY: What’s your favourite thing about SKY?

Warona: My favourite thing about SKY undoubtedly, is the sisterhood. Often as a teen you feel alone as though there’s no one that you can relate with. SKY Girls and the platforms they have proved that as different and alone as we may feel there is someone out there and right here (in BW) that is like you.

Nthabiseng: My favourite thing about SKY would have to be the community: one gets to be part of a revolution. I believe SKY is constantly moving with the times therefore it is ever changing. It adapts to newer technology, trends, current affairs, involves more demographics etc.

Mmapula: You mean apart from the MERCHANDISE? Haha, I love knowing that I have a family, a tribe of sisters rooting for me!

Tamia: During a mall activation there was a girl who came up to me & asked how to take a pledge and I took her through the steps and up to this day she still messages me whenever she has a problem which goes to show that not only do I have one big sister at home but I’ve got millions of them.

SKY: How do you think SKY can change to address issues to the current generation that came after you?

Warona: SKY could practise equity by providing people with what they need as individuals. I’d say one of the main issues with this current generation is mental health, another being identity. These two translate into all areas of our lives, how we love, our relationship with money, the careers we venture into, our relationships with others and ourselves. It would be helpful in sharing more information on where they can get help.

Mmapula: Well, I don’t think SKY has to change. I believe that SKY can expand its mandate through challenging girls to not only stay true to themselves but to stay true to their best self. This means identifying who you are and aspire to become but also embedding the aspiration to be their best selves. I see more mental health issues surfacing and this generation has glorified being depressed/ anxious which is not a small thing. These mental health issues should be highlighted.

Mandipa: I believe that there could be more emphasis on the cultivation of the self as a girl child. Provide tools for young girls to truly discover who they are, their moral standing, and their interests to equip them with the skills needed to resist negative peer pressure because they know the person they would like to be.

SKY: What are your 3 Shapos and 3 Sures?

Warona: Ke sure ka my family and friends, God and being active. Ke shapo ka ignoring mental health problems, smoking and being rude.

Mmapula: Ke sure ka Success, Love and God

Ke shapo ka smoking, negative people and eggs on potato salad

Nthabiseng: Sure: Taking up space, mindfulness and continuous learning. Shapo ka self-doubt, unreciprocated energy and greed.

Chantel: Sure, ka smiling, spreading love and dancing.

Shapo ka mangos, betrayal and smoking.

Abie: Ke sure ka positive friendship, hard-work and kindness and Ke shapo ka negativity, lies and bullies.

Katleho: Sure ka: prayer, positive mindset and good grades. Ke Shapo ka: smoking, cyber bullying and over sharing.

Tamia: Shapo ka being fake, fake friends and body shaming. Sure, ka positive mindset, staying true to myself, creativity. Shapo ka betrayal

SKY: What advice would you give teen girls out there who are trying to find themselves?

Warona: Breathe in. Ask yourself, “where do(es) (my goals, habits) truly stem from and why?”. We are influenced by people around us and the environment we’re in, whether we end up like what we see or become the complete opposite or a mix of the aforementioned. You can find yourself in many things and people, as long as you stay true to yourself.

Katleho: Limit your social media usage. Don’t compare yourself to the ‘perfect’ lives you see online, that’s bad for your confidence! Social media has way too many pressures and opinions, Focus on doing only what you like. Remember that you’re the only permanent person in your life - so treat yourself like it.

Chantel: It is okay to make mistakes and it’s okay to learn from them. Believe in yourself and never limit yourself.

Nthabiseng: Do not be afraid to be different. With it may come being or feeling alone. Find comfort and affirmation in knowing that despite all of that, there is a tribe for you somewhere out there and someday you’ll know when you have found it.

Abie: Be confident, create boundaries and live in the moment. Most importantly, STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF.

Mandipa: No matter what anyone may tell you, no one on this planet is like you. You are unique, with talents and interests that are particular to you. Don’t feel pressured into doing anything that doesn’t align with the person that you are. My last piece of advice would be to write 3 things a day that you are grateful for in your life.

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