Khwai Lass Crowned Miss RADP
Spira Tlhankane | Monday December 11, 2017 17:58
Sango beat other 13 finalists to walk away with the coveted prize worth P10,000 cash and P50,000 for a project. Last year’s queen, Neo Chantal Barkaath from Qabo handed the crown to Sango.
Grabbing the first princess position was Onkgopotse Nyatsang from New Xhade in Gantsi while Ketswentsemang Garebaitse from Zoroga was the second princess.
It was not an easy way towards the crown as Sango had to prove herself to the panel of judges from the fashion show to the traditional wear categories. Sango also impressed during the answer session and won many in the audience.
The pageant organised by the ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in partnership with Limkokwing University was held under the theme, ‘Unearthing natural beauty and talent’.
Giving a keynote address during the event, the minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Slumber Tsogwane said the pageant is aimed at creating a critical mass of empowered young ladies. These young ladies would spearhead a transformation agenda and produce young leaders particularly women, who will lead development issues to improve livelihoods of their communities, he said.
Tsogwane said representation of districts continues to be inclusive across settlements. He told the contestants to uphold their status as queens at their own districts and settlements and continue with the transformation agenda.
“A total of 1,452 young ladies from Remote Area settlements have participated in the pageant since 2013 and 69 have participated at national level,” he highlighted. Tsogwane thanked founder and president of Limkokwing University, Dr Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Limkokwing for the support.
“Sponsors and partners have contributed a lot to the success of this event since its inception. Your contributions have gone a long way in shaping and improving this pageant,” he said.
For her part, the assistant minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Botlogile Tshireletso stated that when they started the pageant, many doubted whether young women from remote area settlements could indeed make it as beauty contestants.
“Others viewed our initiative as discriminatory and perceived that it will stigmatise the remote area communities.” She said Miss RADP has grown with each event over the years and has gained immense popularity akin to any national pageant. She highlighted that the projects that were undertaken by previous winners include craft shops, small stock, modelling, beauty parlor and other self-employment projects.
The event included a parade of former Miss RADP queens and performances from Sereetsi & The Natives, Mophato Dance Theatre and Nnunu Ramogotsi.