Little Miss Districts queen calls for youth behavioural change
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Thursday September 14, 2017 18:00
Gaethuse outshone her fellow contestants from other districts across the country during the pageantry grand finale that was held at the Civic Centre in Gaborone early this month. This 15-year-old Tutume-born represented the Central District.
The teen queen told Showbiz that during her reign, she would like to raise awareness on drugs, alcohol abuse and other social ills.
The Bonnington Junior Secondary School Form 2 student explained that many young people engage in intolerable behaviour due to peer pressure.
“When I entered this beauty pageant, I saw it as a platform that would help me voice out my opinion with my peers and the youth at large.
Being a teenager and a student has helped me realise different things happening around me. I have realised that a number of young people engage in social ills such as substance abuse and sexual activities and they bring bad consequences in their lives,” she said.
She emphasised that education is the key to success and called on her peers to refrain from social ills and rather focus on their studies. She advised the youth to find social clubs and sports activities to kill time.
“I spend my spare time either playing netball, chess or at church.
This helps me stay focused and away from negativities. I would like to urge my peers to follow suit and stay away from negative friends,” she said confidently.
Gaethuse explained that she also entered the pageant because she wanted to boost her confidence. She thanked her mother, sister, friends and church members for having supported her throughout her journey in the beauty pageant.
According to her mother, Boitumelo Morekile, it is important for parents to support their children’s dreams. She said she supported her daughter mentally and financially.
“When my daughter told me that she wanted to partake in this beauty pageant and shared her ideas with me, I was happy. I decided to support her. I encourage other mothers to do the same. There are many social ills out there. Such initiatives can help groom our children into responsible future leaders of this country,” she said.
Morekile added that beauty pageants were not only about winning prizes, but also for building young people’s confidence.
She added that they also help them build their communications and public speaking skills. She added that questions asked at beauty pageants were relevant to education.
She said they could also help prepare the children into the future Miss World, Miss Universe and other international pageants, which will put the country on the international map just like the former Miss Universe Mpule Kwelagobe did.
However, she pointed out that beauty pageants must not interfere with children’s studies.