TSIKOANE — She is tall, young and beautiful.
The 18-year-old Mphepi Mokhethi was head and shoulders above the rest as she was crowned Miss Tsikoane during a beauty pageant with a difference at Tsikoane in Leribe on Saturday.
The pageant was organised by Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP)’s Tlali Tlali who is the party’s candidate in Tsikoane constituency in the May 26 general election.
Its purpose was to get young women involved in politics and the development of their constituency.
Mokhethi beat Tšepiso Tokeng and Ikaneng Mabote who were crowned first and second princesses respectively.
The 1.85 metre-tall Mokhethi told the Weekender she was confident that she would lift the title.
“There was competition but I knew I was going to win. I am happy about my mandate after being crowned along with my princesses,” she said.
She added that she was going to use her title to give back to her community.
“Apart from the fact that this is the start of my modelling career, I am looking forward to working with the committee and learn a thing or two in pushing for development in my village.”
The beauty queen said she and her princesses would visit the elderly twice a month to help with domestic chores.
They would also source funds to assist them every month.
“This competition may be politically-oriented but there is a social aspect to it. I am going to capitalise on it to build my modelling career while learning and helping other young people to get involved in Lesotho’s politics,” Mokhethi said.
Tlali said he had set up a committee made up of different political party members to handle some development projects in the constituency.
“Miss Tsikoane and her princesses are going to monitor the committee and work hand-in-hand with it to ensure elders are taken care of,” Tlali said.
All contestants had to be registered voters.
Tlali said while the pageant was his way of campaigning for the election, it was also going to benefit the Tsikoane constituency irrespective of who wins.
“This is a political campaign that benefits all parties,” Tlali said.
Popular musician Stlofa provided entertainment at the pageant as he kept fans on their feet, dancing and singing along to his tunes.