16 Nov 2016

Since inception of the Miss Remote Area Development Programme (RADP) beauty pageant in 2013, a total of 1 244 young women participated in this event at settlement, sub-district and district levels.

Speaking at the Miss RADP press conference, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Botlogile Tshireletso, said this year’s finals would be hosted at Botho University in Gaborone on November 19, at 6pm.

She said the pageant was getting better every year as evidenced by, among other things, the gems that Miss RADP continued to unearth.

She indicated that the pageant’s goals and objectives had not changed.

“Miss RADP is a gender empowerment initiative done under the auspices of the Affirmative Action Framework for Remote Area Communities that was approved by cabinet in July 2014,” said the Mahalapye East legislator.

Tshireletso said in that spirit, the pageant was aimed at facilitating talent identification, promoting inclusiveness of young women in mainstream society as well as providing a forum for young women from recognised remote area settlements.

She noted that this pageant enabled them to participate in national events, which in turn provided them with a platform to showcase their talents and hopefully expose them to greater opportunities.

She noted that winners of the past three pageants had been able to embark on different economic empowerment initiatives that significantly improved their lives.

“We continue to have contestants from different settlements representing their districts and this year we have 14 finalists from Loologane (Kweneng), Kaudwane (Kweneng), Sekhutlane (Southern), Thankane (Southern), Kgomodiatshaba (Kgatleng), Phuduhudu (Kgalagadi), Khawa (Kgalagadi), Ghani (North West), Khwai (North West), D’kar (Ghanzi), Qabo (Ghanzi), Zoroga (Central) and Khwee (Central),” she said.

Speaking on the prizes, Tshireletso said the prizes were both in cash and funded economic empowerment projects of the contestant’s choice.

She said the queen would walk away with P50 000 for a project of her choice and P10 000 cash.

“First princess will take P30 000 for a project of her choice and P7 000 cash and the second princess will be rewarded with P20 000 for a project of her choice and P5 000 cash,” she said, further adding that Ms Personality along with Ms Best Smile and consolation prizes would all be P2 000.

Tshireletso indicated that the High Commissioner of India, Dr Ketan Shukla, would officiate at the pageant finals. 

According to a press release from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the pageant is a collaborative effort of the ministry, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Apex Properties, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Botswana Television with the support of various private companies like Shannaz Herbal and MaAfrica Hair Salon.

Tickets for the pageant are available at Choppies and Liqourama outlets and retail for P200 (VIP) and P100. BOPA