MASERU — Khubetsoana-based Mosa Makhaola, 19, was on Friday crowned Miss All Basotho Convention (ABC) beauty queen for the Stadium Area constituency.
Makhaola came out tops ahead of eight other beauties who were vying for the same title.
She pocketed M4 000 cash.
Lebohang Letuka, and Rethabile ‘Mefane, were voted first and second princesses respectively.
The pageant was aimed at encouraging young people to participate in national politics.
It was the brainchild of Monyake Mophato, the ABC’s candidate for the Stadium Area 31 constituency in the May 26 general election.
“We are making history in Lesotho with this event. Our objective is to see you, young people taking part in Lesotho’s politics,” Mophato said.
He said the beauty contest was the start of several initiatives by the ABC to empower young people.
He said Lesotho had vast talent and potential to shine in the world hence the decision by the party to give the youths a platform to explore their talents.
The constituency’s chairperson, Mophethe Sekamane, thanked guests for taking time to support the initiative.
“This is evidence enough that the ABC has the interests of young people at heart. Ntate Mophethe is fairly younger than us and we appreciate his initiative which shows us that when we retire ABC will be left in capable hands that will lead young people in their development endeavours,” Sekamane said.
Jazz sensation Bhudaza Maphefane churned out melodies that kept revellers at the AME Hall on their feet.
Most people in their audience turned out in ABC attire to show their support and patriotism.
The beauties entertained the audience with traditional dance and contemporary choreography before going into the real deal of the night, the competition.
Due to the limited number of finalists, all nine were asked one question to test their intelligence.
“If you were in ABC leadership, what would you do to win the upcoming elections?” the contestants were asked.
After the top five were chosen, they were asked another question to determine the eventual winners.
The next question, “What is the role of young people in politics?” proved tricky and left the young beauties twisting their tongues.
Only two of the top five could answer the question satisfactorily either in English or Sesotho.
While the girls’ nerves were rising, DJ Napolinah ensured that the audience were on their feet dancing to the latest music mixes.
Then came the crowning of the top three girls.
One of the judges, Tlali Tlali, of Face of Lesotho said they were looking for a girl who would be able to sell the ABC as a brand and represent it.
“We are looking for an ambassador, someone that will be able to escort Ntate Mophethe during public gatherings, someone who will be able to lure and encourage other youths to join the party,”
Tlali said.
Mosa Makhaola expressed her happiness after she was crowned the queen.
“I am very excited and happy.
“I am now ready to work and do my part,” the beauty said.
However the pageant was not without incident.
Some ABC supporters threatened to abandon the party after Makhaola was announced the winner.
The supporters said they felt that second princess ‘Mefane was a cut above the rest and deserved to be crowned the winner.
The irate supporters threw rubbish around and shouted in protest.
“We don’t want Mosa, she is not the queen. This is corruption, we are not happy and we will leave this party if things are not done in the proper manner,” they shouted.
Keneuoe Hlalele, an ABC member in the Stadium Area constituency told the Weekender: “This competition was run in corrupt manner.”
“How can ‘Maneo be the organiser, the auditions’ judge, the trainer and the finals judge? We are not happy and if they continue like this they will never see our support.”
Another party supporter, Paballo Khoete, added: “We saw the girls and their performance. Mosa failed to answer all the questions, how will she represent ABC.”
‘Maneo Letuka angrily said: “We already knew that ‘Maneo has her favourite and now she has influenced the final score to give us Mosa who doesn’t even know what is the role of young people in
politics.
“Really, this is serious and the organisers should start treating the competition seriously if we are to support them. We are not happy with the final results. Mosa doesn’t deserve to be among the top three girls at all.”
‘Maneo Matseletsele told the Weekender she wasn’t the only judge so she did not understand what all the complaints were all about.
“I wasn’t the only judge so how can one person’s judgment influence three other judges, this is outrageous?” Matseletsele said.
She added: “It is besides the point that I organised the show and ended up a judge during the finals. This is allowed. It was a competition and all the judges agreed on the final results.”
The constituency’s chairperson, Mophethe Sekamane said people should be satisfied with the result.
“With every competition there has to be a winner so if people are not happy it’s not new. Even in politics we are never all satisfied.”
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