Baby of the year Refiloe Klaas with parents Thabiso and Mahlompho Klaas
Mohalenyane Phakela
THE winner of the inaugural Baby of the Year Competition 2015 was unveiled in a glittering ceremony held at AVANI Maseru Hotel on Sunday.
With her chubby cheeks, big eyes and a heart-melting smile, eight-month old Refiloe Klaas captured the hearts of voters, winning the competition and a host of fabulous prizes in the process. Refiloe beat 11 tots to the title and automatically qualified for next year’s edition of the competition in which a brand New Toyota Etios will be up for grabs.
The competition’s sponsors included the Lesotho Times’ sister paper Sunday Express, Boliba Savings and Credit, Standard Lesotho Bank, AVANI Hotels Lesotho, Lesotho Flour Mills, Custom Prints, Ellis Finance, Dyna’s Closet, Sign World, Vodacom Lesotho (VCL), Maseru Toyota, Refiloe Matekane and The Agency.
Refiloe’s prizes included a plasma screen and tablet from Little Feet Foundation, a M1 000 Hippo Account from Standard Bank Lesotho, a M1 000 Boliba Savings Account, a M1 000 Pick n Pay shopping voucher from Ellis Finance, M1 000 educational policy from Dyna’s Closet, a tablet and M250 airtime from VCL, a year’s supply of Lesotho Flour Mills products, a baby bible from The Agency, a M1 000 grocery voucher from Custom Prints, five branded t-shirts plus caps with her name for her birthday celebrations from Sign World, a year’s supply of seasonal Basutoland Ink clothing and a weekend stay at AVANI Lesotho Hotel also catering for the parents which includes dinner and breakfast as well as the opportunity to host an all-expense paid party for 10 during her birthday celebrations.
The competition, which was an initiative of the Little Feet Foundation, was meant to raise funds to assist vulnerable children. The foundation is a non-profit organisation which provides psychological, educational and physical support services to vulnerable children.
Voting in the competition was done through SMS which cost M1 each. The proceeds thereof contributed to the fund to assist vulnerable children.
Refiloe’s elated mother, ‘Mahlompho Klaas, said their intention was not to win the competition, but to help underprivileged children.
“This is a very surprising moment since our mission was to vote as many times as possible to ensure the M1 which was being charged per SMS would contribute towards Little Feet Foundation’s fund which assists vulnerable kids,” she said.
“We were inspired by Little Feet Foundation’s passion for giving children better lives as shown by the numerous fundraising activities they are involved in.
“We saw this competition as our opportunity to assist. It is through parents that this organization will flourish and extend a helping hand to every Mosotho child who needs help.”
The competition’s first runner-up, Limpho Letele, won a year’s supply of Chai Maize Meal from Lesotho Flour Mills, M250 airtime from VCL, two nights stay plus breakfast at AVANI Lesotho Hotel and a M1 000 Standard Lesotho Bank Hippo Account as well as a M1 000 Boliba Savings Account.
Second runner-up, Kabelo Molefe won 25kg of Chai Maize Meal from Lesotho Flour Mills, M1 000 Hippo Account from Standard Lesotho Bank, M1 000 Boliba Savings Account, M250 airtime from VCL and two nights stay, including breakfast, at AVANI Lesotho Hotel. Third runner-up, Shekoe Likoti’s prizes were not revealed as he was absent during the prize giving ceremony.
