13 Aug 2017

Basetsana Matebele from Moralane was crowned Miss RADP 2017 Mahalapye Sub -district recently.

Twelve girls from the Sub -district came in to try their luck in this year’s Miss RADP beauty contest and the participating villages included Mokgenene, Otse and Moralane all from Shoshong constituency.

Nineteen year old Matebele who proved to be the judges’ and people’s favourite was followed by 22 years old Odisitse  Mojamatlho from Mokgenene and 23 year old Mmoniemang Mosana of Moralane who were crowned first and second princesses respectively.

When officially opening the pageant, Tlou Energy chief executive officer Gabaake Gabaake said the event was one of the key events undertaken by government to promote and encourage direct participation of remote area communities in issues of recreation, arts and culture.

Gabaake said this was in accordance with the affirmative action framework of the revised remote area development programme of 2009.

The theme of the event was ‘Young and vibrant, unearthing natural beauty and talent’.

Gabaake noted that the theme was particularly appropriate at this time when remote area communities were facing challenges of increasing non-participation in national development events due to their remoteness and lack of resources.

He said it was the young people in remote area communities who hold the key towards integrating these communities into mainstream economic activities.

Therefore, he said it was critically important for the participants and organisers to give some thought towards unearthing young and vibrant natural beauty and talent.

Further, he explained that the theme was also consistent with government’s efforts to develop and promote sustainable livelihoods for communities and individuals residing in remote areas to reduce dependence on government handouts and promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.

He urged participants not to end with social and cultural inclusion, but to think bigger as they were the ones who could develop their areas.

Gabaake said contestants have acquired different life skills through practice and rehearsals during the boot camp, therefore, urged them to meet government’s efforts halfway in the effort to promote the concept and practice of equal opportunities for all citizens.

He hoped that the skills and knowledge they acquired during the boot camp were not in vain and go to waste as soon as they get back home.

Gabaake advised them to use the skills and knowledge to drag themselves and those around them out of poverty and margins of society, adding that achieving great things in one’s life was not all about acadademic qualification and big positions but also about personal growth and continuously learning new skills and putting them into practice.

“Learning and practicing new skills can be as simple as understanding and exercising the power of choice in our lives,” he said.

For his part, Mahalapye Sub -district council chairperson Tassman Cebani said the event was one of government initiative that contributed to the affirmative action framework for remote area communities.

Cebani said the platform of Miss RADP was gaining momentum annually and this year were grateful to be partakers of the event as the pageant was in in the fifth year  since inception.

He also applauded the department of social and community development for actively identifying natural beauty in the three settlements of Moralane, Mokgenene and Otse. ENDS