Mohalenyane Phakela
THE Indian Association of Lesotho (IAL) has pledged to assist Lesotho’s representative in the upcoming Miss World 2014 to participate in the pageant to be held in London on 14 December.
Nthole Matela, who was crowned Miss World Lesotho early this year, is set to represent the country in the prestigious pageant. Funds permitting, Matela will join 128 contestants from all over the world competing in the 64th edition of the glamorous pageant.
Sponsorship continues to dog the pageantry sector despite its acknowledged role in promoting the tourism industry among other benefits.
Pageant organising body, Beauty Pageants Association of Lesotho Director, Tlali Tlali, recently revealed to this newspaper he had no choice but to get a loan to cover the travelling expenses for another local beauty, Mohau Mokotjomela’s participation in the Face of Beauty International 2014 in Taiwan.
Meanwhile, the IAL has promised to come to Matela’s aid in her bid to represent the Mountain Kingdom in the global showcase, after being impressed by her philanthropy.
“We have worked with Ms Matela as a volunteer at our medical camp which we held in Mafeteng last Saturday, and it was so touching to see how dedicated she is to community work,” IAOL President, Sahila Peerbhai, said this week.
“The beauty queen helped with translation between the doctors at the camp and members of the community who had come for treatment and also assisted in the pharmacy to distribute medication to the patients.”
Dr Peerbhai further urged Basotho to support and help beauty queens fly high as it will help in the marketing of the country.
“Matela would be representing Lesotho in an international pageant and, thus, flying the nation’s flag very high,” she said.
“But then, she is not getting the support she needs to market this country. If only Basotho would realise how important it is for her to be in this pageant and that she really needs their support.
According to Dr Peerbhai, IAL has since asked Matela to list the requirements for her to be able to get to London and “then we will see how we can help her”.
“Our main aim, as a non-profit organization, is to help the community in the realisation of their dreams as we are focused on charity work,” she said.
IAL was established in 1988 with the primary purpose of providing a cultural and educational platform for the Indian Diaspora in Lesotho.
