By Neo Kolane
The countdown to the much awaited Miss Lesotho 2020/21 pageant that was postponed last year on account of the COVID-19 restrictions, has finally began.
The Miss Lesotho beauty pageant strives to create opportunities for young women by giving them a platform and empowering them to become ambassadors. The pageant also unlocks potential and promotes peace, health and tourism.
Preparations resumed in early April 2021.
Speaking with theReporter, the national director for Miss Lesotho, Molulela Monyake stated that after getting crowned, the winner of the pageant will receive the crown, the title, the responsibility that comes with being Miss Lesotho which possibly entails going to represent Lesotho at Miss World.
The winner will walk away with a M10, 000 cash prize.
Molulela said there are prizes sponsored by Pere DSTV Agency, Ndebele leather works, MAMI intimates, RCT designs, MIP, MCT entertainment, Thuso financial services, RISE International Ymetunes as well as the main sponsor being, the Lesotho Revenue Authority.
“Everyone is coming on board differently with different packages. They are partnering with us for community service projects, and we will be doing awareness for intellectual disability and autism. We will be involved in quite a lot after Miss Lesotho, the sponsorship is not for the event only but the journey of winner from that day onwards.
The alumnus of Miss Lesotho being the first princess in 2015 stated that the pageant is trying to branch out into a new era of bringing a different perspective to pageantry in Lesotho.
“I am hoping to get Miss Lesotho at the same level or close to as our international counterpart pageants like Miss South Africa, Miss Philippines, Miss Venezuela, all those big pageants,” he remarked
“For now Miss Lesotho is a positive growth for our young ladies that participate to work in communities.
“Registrations began last year and over 50 people have registered. Then it was cut down to semifinal phase which was top 26, then brought down to 15 and eventually to 11 finalists.
“The girls are both excited and nervous. Our team is too. But we are hoping to deliver a great production as our first Miss Lesotho,” Molulela urged.