By Mosa Matela
Reigning Mr NUL, Karabo Makara, is appealing for funds to travel to Nigeria where he will be representing Lesotho in the Mr Africa International pageant next month.
Makara stunned the audience and adjudicators in May this year he won the Mr NUL 2023 title in his first attempt.
Following his win, the 21-year old is not only planning on raising the profile of the pageant industry for males in the country, but is also planning on making it big and representing the country globally.
Since his early stages of high school, Makara had been dead set on making a name for himself in the pageantry industry. Unfortunately, at the time, he was unable to participate in any contests due to his grandmother being unable to finance his pageantry needs.
Now a second-year student at NUL, he was finally able to pursue his dreams as the institution reintroduced Mr NUL after years of it being dormant. This being Makara’s first competition had him under a lot of pressure. However, he took it all in his stride and reaped the fruits of his hard work.
Winning Mr NUL showed him that he is capable of doing anything he sets his mind to. This then gave him the motivation he needed to venture into international pageants as well, and his efforts did not go in vain.
Makara is currently preparing to go participate in this year’s annual Mr Africa International pageant.
Hosted by The House of Twitch, Mr Africa International is a male competition that brings together African male title holders from around the continent. Focusing on good physique and fashion, it allows the contestants to flaunt their talents and represent their respective traditions and cultures.
Winners are granted the opportunity to travel to different countries during their reign, where they will promote Mister Africa’s mission; which is to promote talent, skill acquisition and education throughout the continent of Africa.
Winners will also be granted the opportunity to use the platform to promote their personal projects while in turn making a name for themselves in the field.
This year, the pageant will be held in Nigeria during the first week of October.
Makara was inspired to join international pageants by beauty queen Boitumelo Sehlotho after she competed in the Miss Supranational 2022 pageant last year.
He too longs to represent Lesotho globally and is working diligently to ensure that that happens.
Makara also plans to join Mister Supranational 2024. To get to Nigeria for Mr Africa, he humbly appeals to Basotho for donations in order for him to afford his flight and cover other additional costs. He will also need donations to pay for the franchise fee for Mister Supranational 2024, which will amount to USD2000.
Donations may be sent to 53847319 via Mpesa or to 63950186 via Eco-cash. Both numbers are registered under Karabo Mgcombolo.
