. . . deaf beauty defies odds and aims for the stars
By Mohalenyane Phakela
MASERU — Unfazed by her seeming disability, Tlhokomelo Sabole, is determined to be an inspiration to physically-challenged people with a can-do attitude.
Born in Qeme, Ha Thaabe, the deaf 24-year-old stunner has always loved modelling and participating in beauty pageants — never allowing her disability to stand in the way of her dreams.
Sabole first contested in a beauty pageant in 2009 during her high school years, scooping the title of Miss Bartimea School for the Deaf and Blind, in Thaba-Nchu, and first princess in the same pageant in 2011. She competed in the Miss Deaf Africa 2014 which was held in Sandton, South Africa, in October last year clinching the second princess crown.
“Being deaf does not mean that one’s dreams have to be shattered,” Sabole told the Weekender in an interview this week.
“Therefore, I want to inspire other deaf people in different communities, especially those who are vulnerable, to be empowered and to promote their standard of living as well.
“I have a soft spot for deaf people and it is my mission to be fully-engaged in the development of young deaf people, especially women, to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.”
Besides her obvious beauty and enchanting smile, Sabole has a positive attitude and outlook of life that can only inspire others, no matter their station in life.
“Most people let their circumstances hold them back,” she further remarked, “which is quite the opposite when it comes to me.”
“No one has to make decisions for you; it is your life so you need to take charge of it as well as your attitude towards it.”
“It (life) is your route and yours alone, others may walk with you but no one will live it for you,” she added.
Sabole aspires to go all the way and even compete in global pageants, thereby inspiring, not only people from Lesotho, but even around the world.
With the Miss Deaf World, scheduled for Prague, Czech Republic in July, on the horizon, Sabole is intent on taking part in the pageant and doing Lesotho proud.
However, her drawback at the moment is sponsorship for the trip which, so far, has not been forthcoming. And if she were to find the means to get to Prague, it will be the first time Lesotho is represented in such a pageant.
“I believe I have what it takes to make it, but my biggest challenge is money,” she said. “Each time I try to enter a pageant outside the country, I have the problem of funding, and ultimately fail to attend such competitions.”
Her parting plea was for people of goodwill to sponsor her so that she can represent Lesotho in the upcoming Miss Deaf World pageant.
