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30/10/2015
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Oct 30, 2015
Former Miss Universe, Mpule Kwelagobe hitches her knight in shining armour
Their wedding recently set tongues wagging and local media was awash with headlines courtesy of the couple’s dowry (lobola) proceedings right until the day the duo walked down the aisle. The ever-busy grinding rumour mill even estimated that the former Miss Universe (1999), Mpule Kwelagobe’s dowry cost around P600k. While many thought it was the couple’s first time in Botswana, we are happy to report in the contrary. Mpule and her Indian –American husband, Abhijoy Gandhi are an epitome of a power couple.
Securing an interview with the efficacious couple is no easy feat as experienced by our reporter, Moagi Madisa on Saturday. Despite the pair always being busy as bumble bees, they’re even-tempered when one finally gets to sit down with them. Quite intriguing is Abhijoy’s penchant to learn Setswana (Mpule’s native language) as the couple looks destined to spend more time in Botswana next year pushing various business interests.
In his own admission, Abhijoy said Mpule turned down his advances many times but as a man on a mission, he never gave up until the beauty queen was equally smitten.
There’s no mistaking the two are madly in love so much that Mpule now Mrs. Gandhi wishes she had met her husband as early as 1999 to share her glorious moment, when she was crowned Miss Universe. This is despite the fact that Mpule had played hard to get when Abhijoy proposed love. Madisa exclusively spent Saturday afternoon with the influential couple at their Grand Palm residence in Gaborone before they jetted back to New York (NY) this past Monday…
You are both accomplished in life, career and business wise: please take us back, how did you guys meet, time of courting until you decided you were meant for each other and that you will grow old together?
Mpule: it was in the mid-2000s when we met through one of our acquaintances. As an aspiring Economist then, I wanted to have a partner who can support my initiatives of investing in the youth; and for me that’s not a business but rather a calling. That’s how I met my husband. He was a gentleman from day one and my philosophy in terms of how I wanna live and build the Mpule legacy also fitted with his philosophy too. He comes from a family of six medical doctors including his parents and he is the odd one out, simply because he’s into Finance.
Gandhi: I remember vividly when we first met and on day two I was already telling her I was into her. Stubborn and focused as she is, she kept her eyes on business only and this forced me to try many times until she finally felt the same way. I was the happiest man alive I must say.
In 1999, (Mr. Ghandi) what were you doing because for Mpule, she was the hottest woman in the world having won Miss Universe?
At the time I lived in Singapore. Mind you even if I wanted her then, it was going to be extremely difficult for me as she was always surrounded by the media and the spotlight was all hers.
(Mpule) did you ever dream of getting married internationally and what has always been your ideal man?
I don’t consider people foreign as I live in a global world. I was exposed to foreigners or expatriates during primary schooling era at Thornhill where you always found 15 nationalities per each class. I remember that at the age of 14, I once told my mother that I would love to live in New York as a model. Trust me in New York where we live with hubby, you can’t really tell who is Indian, American or Motswana; as we are all equal. When growing up my aunts always teased me saying I looked like an Indian and during our wedding recently the same aunts came to me and said, we told you that you were an Indian (laughs). As for an ideal man, Gandhi is the perfect example.
Gandhi: that’s why you agreed to marry me, and we only realized that people are different only when we got to Botswana. My foreigner skin came out screaming (laughs) but all in all Botswana is a beautiful country with beautiful and diverse people.
You are now in business together; tell us more about the business?
Mpule: The business we are into is divided into three categories namely: financing, agriculture and global energy. For us it’s not just about business but rather a legacy we want to leave behind. We share a common goal with hubby which is simple; youth empowerment.
… And the tag line, “Let’s talk Africa”, is it relevant in New York (USA)…
Gandhi: Yes and we will prove its relevance, and what a better way to start and roll out the initiative in Botswana. Next year we are going to spend more time in Botswana and make it happen for many of the youth in this country.
When did you guys decide that you want to be an item?
Mpule: We can’t say for sure it was on this day but we have known each other since the mid-2000s. At one point, hubby wrote me a lengthy and detailed email telling me how I should tell my parents and uncles about us. I really took time gathering enough steam and guts. Ha-ha
Gandhi: The reason I did that was simply because I was truly certain about us and the fact that we were meant for each other.
(Mpule) How did he propose?
He did all sorts you can think of; from flowers, chocolates, jewelry but it didn’t get him anywhere, at least a first, ha-ha! One day he shocked me and swept me off my feet when he chartered a helicopter and flew me over New York. It was truly breathtaking and I he truly melted my heart. I was truly enthused and I fell in love right away.
(Ghandi) Were you not scared that she might turn you down and ruin what you have together as business partners?
Not all all! I wasn’t really bothered. Ha-ha, look this match was made in Heaven. It was always going to be a matter of time. It’s been 15 years of common interest between us. We are professionals so this has no bearing into our business.
Your marriage, is a diverse cultured affair and equally expensive at least from what we saw, there was also the alleged hefty dowry price of P600K. Is this true and if not how much was the real bride price?
Gandhi: that’s between the negotiators’ to reveal. However, I do know because that money was from my bank account. There were over 25 herds of cattle, money on top but to me it’s not about how much was spent but rather the value of my bride. Besides, we have to respect both the cultural processes.
How much do you feel Mpule is worth?
If a cat has nine lives, then Mpule is worth 9 lives multiplied by infinity. Ha-ha!
What was the total cost of the wedding?
Gandhi: around P2.2 million.
Mpule: remember we had four ceremonies and family friends had to fly from New York and India.
Tells us about the ring, I haven’t seen it around…
Gandhi: its straight from Tiffany and it’s a 2.5 carat diamond valued between $45 000 and $50 000 (around P500 000) for my special lady. I have bought her jewelry over the years more than any person I know.
Mpule: but you haven’t bought me jewelry here in Botswana.
Gandhi: well I have bought you chocolates every day.
(Ghandi) You have been in Botswana for some weeks now, was it you first time here?
No it wasn’t! I have been here several times, someone will think I was stalking my wife because I have been to every school, kgotla and even villages she has been to when growing up. I studied her from that age. Other than that we have been to Maun, Kasane, and Lobatse and at times visited the best tourism sites around the country. Botswana is truly a beautiful country.
What has impressed you the most about Botswana so far?
Mostly I have enjoyed the beautiful sunsets.
But most importantly I think the government has done well with youth empowerment. I was impressed with the infrastructure too but importantly the people. Here people greet each other and they also give each other time. You can see a man starring at you then after a long time comes to you and says “I thought you were this other guy I know, but anyway how are you?” It’s so impressive.
It is common practice that after marriage, a child should be born supposedly to bless the union; are we likely to see little Ghandi soon and if so how many kids do you plan on having?
Mpule: as a firm believer in Christianity, I think children are a blessing from God and I will wait for Him to bless me. I am not going to be pressurized by other people about starting a family. Of course I want a big family and having twins will be a plus for me.
Gandhi: I can promise you that within the next two years we would have welcomed baby Gandhi.
Thank you for your time, what can you say to the youth of Botswana especially those aspiring to break new ground in business ventures?
Mpule: Be the change you want to see.
We will be setting up a firm here in Botswana and we urge the youth to be part of it and come up with winning proposals that can benefit the whole country and especially the youth by creating sustainable employment.
Gandhi: Botswana youth are well educated and it’s something that other nations don’t have. The government has provided so much over the past years. It’s all up to the youth to stand up!
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