Mojabeng Senekal
. . . as pageant winners to walk away with cash prizes
Mohalenyane Phakela
THE Face of Lesotho pageant is back, bigger and better with the top three set to walk away with cash prizes for the first time.
Mojabeng Senekal won the last edition which was held in 2015 before the pageant was shelved last year owing to lack of sponsorship.
For her efforts, Senekal automatically landed the opportunity to represent the country in Taiwan at the Face of Beauty International where she won the Charity Award at the prestigious pageant.
This year’s winner will also compete in this year’s edition of the same pageant in India in September.
And in addition, the winner will also receive M5 000 prize money while the first and second runners up will walk away with M3 000 and M2 000 respectively.
One of the organisers, Phakiso Machesetsa said this year’s event will be held at AVANI Maseru Hotel on April 15.
“We pay almost all the expenses of organising the pageant from our own pockets which include the franchise fee of Face of Beauty International which allows the Face of Lesotho to compete in the international pageant, and the amount is US$1500 (M 20 172),” Machesetsa told the Weekender.
“However we were able to save up for this year’s edition which will be bigger and better as we will give our winners monetary prizes which is something we have not done in the past.”
17 contestants from the lowlands of Lesotho (M-Hoek, Mafeteng, Maseru, Berea, Leribe and Butha Buthe) will compete for the Face of Lesotho title. The contestants were selected based on the standard pageant requirements which include having completed Cambridge Overseas School Certificate (COSC), be single and not have a child.
In addition, the contestant must be willing to make a positive impact in the different communities.
AVANI Hotels in Lesotho, Thaba Fleet Services and Foschini Group are the sponsors of the 2017 pageant.
Machesetsa also revealed that the ceremony which kicks off at 6pm, will also feature a fashion show for local designers.
“This is also the first time featuring a fashion show and this meant to equip the contestants with modelling experience while exposing local designers.”
The featured designers are Mabeile Malataliana Women’s Ready to Wear, Lebo&Mapuru Lingerie, Bonolo Women’s Ready to Wear, Qeneholo Ready To Wear, Tiny&Nthabi Knitted Garments and Jewellery, Martins Women’s Couture, Itumeleng Women’s Wear and Kopeka Women’s Wear.
