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Ms RADP suspended after Matsha disaster

Miss RADP 2014 Kodane Mochonka and her two princesses, Keotshepile Kewame and Akanyang Kaingotla
 
Miss RADP 2014 Kodane Mochonka and her two princesses, Keotshepile Kewame and Akanyang Kaingotla

The grand finale was supposed to be held at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks on Saturday.

A press release from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development says the decision was taken to postpone the Miss RADP 2015 pageant and its associated activities until further notice.  All activities that were to take place ahead of the pageant, including the Tuesday press briefing, had been cancelled. In an interview with Showbiz, a deputy director at the ministry, Delic Sehunwe, said they couldn’t proceed because the pageant was part of the RADP.

“Most of the affected students come from the settlements of RADP,” she said.

Sehunwe said the tragedy has affected everyone, and so the pageant could not go on like nothing has happened. The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development implements the RADP in seven districts, covering 67 settlements.  The ministry launched the beauty pageant in 2013 to facilitate talent identification and encourage behaviour change, especially among the youth in remote area dwellers communities.