Karabelo Makara
Mohalenyane Phakela
BEAUTY queens Karabelo Makara (18) and Thotoane Motlomelo (23) are set to represent Lesotho as the country makes its debut participation at the prestigious Miss Africa Continent 2016 pageant in South Africa.
The pageant will start on 14 April 2016, with the crowning set for 30 April at The Lyric Theater of the Gold Reef City in Johannesburg.
According to its website, the pageant was launched in 2014 and is dedicated to the development and growth of young women through education, training, community development, opportunities and exposure, it also aims to build solidarity among Africans through advocacy on topical issues facing the continent such as poverty and xenophobia.
The two beauty queens told the Weekender this week they were up for the challenge and promised to bring the title home.
“When I browsed through the list of entrants on the Miss Africa pageant social media page, the competition looked intimidating especially contestants from Guinea and DRC who are very tall,” said Makara.
“However, I am up for any challenge. I am a very competitive and determined person who is intent on bringing the crown home.”
On her part, Motlomelo also expressed confidence she had what it took to clinch the prestigious crown.
“I went for auditions and photo-shoots with some of the contestants earlier this year, and I have not seen any competition. Therefore nothing will stop me from bringing the crown home,” she said.
Makara’s accolades include being the Miss Kingdom Nation 2014 First Princess, Miss Queen of Tourism 2015 First Princess and Miss Kingdom Nation 2015. Motlomelo won the Miss Crown Royale title last year. The duo will be competing beyond Lesotho’s borders for the first time during the pageant.
Lesotho was formally admitted into the continental glamour show last August after officials from the Beauty Pageant Association of Lesotho (BPAL) signed a participation agreement in a ceremony attended by representatives of the pageant in Maseru.
During the signing ceremony at AVANI Lesotho Hotel, Miss Africa Continent Chief Executive Officer Bruce Leonard said the pageant would not only unite Africa but also give the rest of the world a different perspective of the continent.
“With contestants representing different African countries, the pageant is set to be one of the most celebrated events on the African calendar,” he said.
“Its objective is to interact with African countries on various platforms, become an educational platform and empowering tool to the young African woman,” Leonard said.
“We have engaged the countries to ensure that the pageant stays within its mandate and that the girls are not exploited. There will also be boot-camps where the ladies will be equipped with life coping skills.”
