MASERU — Twenty-year-old Refiloe Pheku was crowned Miss Vodacom PC FM at Manthabiseng Convention Centre last Saturday.
Pheku drove away in a brand new GWM Florid Super Lux.
She also won an LCD television set, brand new cellphone with M500 airtime, as well as a modelling contract with Pioneer Mall worth M5 000.
Pheku is a fourth year Bachelor of Commerce student at the National University of Lesotho.
Hlompho Ramorakane was crowned first princess with Khahliso Khama being voted second princess.
But the beauty contest was far from being the glittering show that fans havecome to expect in the competition’s 12-year history.
Attendance was far from impressive with less than 400 fans paying to watch the show.
The centre has a capacity of 800 people.
The poor show could have something to do with the entrance fee which was pegged at a princely sum of M250 per person, M100 more than last year’s admission fee.
The event this year however had a large number of local artistes who were billed to entertain the crowds alongside big South African acts, Teargas and Jazil Brothers.
Despite fine weather the show was disappointing.
The Miss Vodacom PC FM show which has over the years brought Maseru to a standstill was this year a dull affair.
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Although the organisers had said they were looking for beauty with brains and the final 16 were the best, the beauties put up a horror show as they failed to answer questions posed by the judges.
And there were a few broken sentences in English as well.
Some appeared to answer questions that they seemed not to understand.
The result is that they went on to waffle and embarrass themselves before the audience.
The winner of the pageant when asked who is her role model said that it is her single mother who had “struggled to raise us and yet puts a smile on their faces”.
In an interview with the Weekender after her victory, Pheku said she was excited to have been crowned the winner.
“The competition was very tight from the onset. I am lost for words and very humbled,” Pheku said.
During the intervals, South Africa’s Teargas breathed life in the half full auditorium with their hit including Mhlobo wam and We rolling.
Lesotho’s veteran musician Puseletso Seema also left the crowd mesmerised with her energetic moves.
Vodacom Superstars Stlofa and Palesa Motlomelo teamed up with Rasekhele Masilo for the Soccer Spectacular song.
Hlompho told the Weekender that although she failed to scoop the ultimate prize it was better than “walking home with nothing”.
“I am very happy with the title. The competition has always been very tough so making it this far means a lot,” she added.
Khahliso Khama also expressed disappointment after losing the Miss Vodacom PC FM title.
“I am very disappointed but I guess God had designed this day to end like this. I wasn’t destined to win this particular car but I guess my time will come.”
“I am happy for not walking home empty handed though,” she said.
After Pheku’s destiny was revealed by the judges who included Miss PC FM 2009, Rorisang Motlomelo, Jazil Brothers from South Africa stepped on stage and tuned their hits including Ngekhe zendiphinde.