Miss RADP 2015 scheduled for this weekend
Spira Tlhankane | Thursday February 25, 2016 18:00
Assistant minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Botlogile Tshireletso, said Tuesday that it was necessary for the ministry to postpone the event out of heartfelt respect, sympathy and support for all people who were involved. “Miss RADP beauty pageant is a gender empowerment initiative done under the auspices of the affirmative action framework for remote area communities that was approved by cabinet in July 2014,” she said during a media briefing on Tuesday. Tshireletso said the aim of the pageant was to facilitate talent identification, encourage behavioural change among the youth and promote inclusiveness of the young women in the mainstream society.
“We want to build their self-esteem through participation in national events amongst others,” she said. She said the theme ‘unearthing natural beauty and talent’ is in recognition of the fact that the pageant valued the diversity and uniqueness of the culture and natural beauty that was found among young talented women from remote area communities. The expectation is for each reigning beauty queen and her princesses to be ambassadors of the RADP by way of participation in community and outreach programmes.
“The beauty competition is a platform for young women from the remote area communities to showcase their talents and gain confidence to participate in other prestigious events like Miss Botswana and Miss World,” she said.
Limkokwing University spokesperson, Mercy Thebe, said her institution was proud to be associated with the Miss RADP brand.
“Today’s world education is not just about getting the right qualifications, but it is about developing talent and the full potential of an individual, hence our association with creative arts projects such as Miss RADP,” she said.
Thebe said Limkokwing University would sponsor Miss RADP 2015/16 with technical and logistic support, event management, event documentation through photography and videography and production of relevant content for the beauty pageant.
“As a strategic partner Limkokwing University is pleased to see how the Miss RADP beauty pageant has grown since its launch in 2013 and most importantly the many lives of young Batswana ladies it has touched and changed since its inception,” she said. She pleaded with all Batswana to support this initiative as that it could be sustained for many years to come.
Apex Properties has sponsored the pageant with water in branded bottles, printing of publicity material and full-page advertising two times before the event. Botswana Agriculture Marketing Board has pledged a voucher of P5,000 for the winner and cash amounting to P1,000. This year’s contestants come from Kaudwane and Tswaane (Kweneng), Mababe and Gudigwa (North West), Lepokole and Mokgenene (Central), Kutuku and Mahotshwane (Southern), Inalegolo and Ncaang (Kgalagadi), Kgomodiatshaba (Kgatleng) as well as D’kar (Gantsi). The winner will get P50,000 for a project and P10,000 cash. The first princess will get P30,000 for a project and P7,000 cash while the second princess wins P20,000 for a project and P5,000 cash. BTV will cover the event and produce a documentary.