16 Nov 2014

The Miss Remote Areas Development Programme (RADP) is on a quest to unearth natural talent and beauty as a way of constructing a more inclusive society.

Beauty queens from seven RADP districts in Botswana (67 settlements), will on November 22 compete for the title.  This followed an election of two representatives from each district aged between 18 and 24 years, whom were judged as best queens at their respective districts through their district competitions to make up the top 14 contestants for the crown.

Speaking at the launch of the Miss RADP 2014, the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Botlogile Tshireletso said this second pageant follows the first ever that was successfully held on November 25 last year. 

The young motivated ladies from recognised settlements of Kgomodiatshaba, Khekhenye, Kuke, New Xade displayed a fierce contest.  

Miss RADP is one of the ministry’s initiatives to facilitate talent identification, promote inclusiveness of the young women in the mainstream society and build the self-esteem of young ladies through participation in national events.

In addition, the assistant minister said the winner of the pageant and her princesses would be expected to work from other districts as ambassadors of the RADP for the duration of their term.

She said, “The Queen and her team will work with various partners and stakeholders including government to promote the Remote Area Development Programme.” They will also promote behaviour change in areas such as HIV/AIDS, alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, education and the importance of culture preservation, she said.  

Further the director and chairperson of RADP Steven Ludick said the pageant is showing significant growth and has empowerment programmes for the contestants.

He stated that the prices are the same as last year, where the queen was awarded a P10 000 cash price and P50 000 economic empowerment project, the first and secondPrincess P7 000 and P3 000 cash price plus P30 000 and P20 000 economic empowerment projects respectively.

All 14 contestants are currently in a two weeks boot camp, undergoing training on a variety of self-empowerment areas to prepare them for the grand finale and develop them in their individual capacity. ENDS