MASERU — When Lesotho’s most popular beauty pageant returns next month it will be under a new brand.
Well, not so new.
The popular Miss PC FM will from this year be known as Miss Vodacom-PC FM.
Vodacom Lesotho has always been one of the major sponsors of Miss PC FM since 2005 but had remained behind the scenes.
This time round the mobile communications company is sharing the naming rights with People’s Choice FM following a substantial injection of funds into the pageant, according to sources.
The pageant is scheduled for July 11 in the capital.
PC FM programmes manager Rethabile Hlalele, popularly known as Zipompi, refused to discuss the pageant saying a formal announcement on this year’s event will be made next week.
She however confirmed the radio station and Vodacom Lesotho now shared the naming rights for the popular show.
“I cannot speak on behalf of Vodacom,” she said. “It’s a Vodacom-PC function and they will answer your questions next week.”
Top South African artists, Lira and HHP, are billed to be the headline acts at Miss Vodacom PC, the sources said.
Lira, a multiple-winner at the recent South African Music Awards, is likely to draw a huge turnout to ‘Manthabiseng Convention Centre.
The songbird’s Soul in Mind was voted album of the year, best adult contemporary album and best remix of the year accolades.
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As further proof of her rising star, Lira was last Thursday given the Gold Status Award by Sony BMG.
The rapper HHP is likely to be itching to rock Maseru after his last performance in Lesotho in March was rained out.
HHP, whose real name is Jabulani Tsambo, is a renowned performer who raps in different South African languages, although primarily Setswana.
He also sings in Sesotho and isiZulu.
HHP’s hits include the smash single from his O Mang Reloaded album Tswaka as well as Jabba and Tshwara from YBA 2 NW.
“By now we have confirmed that HHP and Lira are going to perform during the function,” said one of the sources privy to the organisation of the pageant.
“We will confirm the attendance of other local and international performers by the end of this week.”
Auditions for Miss Vodacom-PC FM were held last weekend. Rorisang Motlomelo won the pageant last year.