17 Nov 2013

Twenty-four-year Kesego Keitheile, was on Friday (November 15) in Gaborone crowned Miss Confidence 2013 in a beauty pageant organised for people living with disabilities.

Keitheile’s beauty was no doubt a cut above 13 other competitors and her confidence, which was the cornerstone of the pageant, impressed judges the most.

Though all the 13 girls looked perfect, talented and beautiful and took out all they could during the pageant, only six managed to pull it through. Looking at the way the contestants showed their talents of dancing to the judges, going together with the beat of songs, one could not believe that they had a hearing impairment.

The queen walked away with a Botswana map from BotswanaCraft, perfume sets from Notwane Pharmacy and a cash voucher from Botswana Public Officer Medical Aid Scheme (BPOMAS). Lebogang Molefhi, who came first princess, walked away with perfume sets, 3D movie ticket by Capitol Cinema and Malware kettle from Home Corp. Phomolo Mosege came second princess and won herself perfume sets, 3D movie ticket and malware toaster.

The event that was organized by Gaborone City Council was held under the theme; ‘break barriers, open doors for an inclusive Botswana for all’. The audience was kept on their toes by a DJ who entertained them with some local music and the most liked track being Vee’s Eita.

The track, which is from Vee’s latest album, took the audience by storm and the most interesting aspect amongst the dancers was disabled youths who showed their talent.

They managed to get the audience on their feet. The contestants were people living with disabilities, with most contestants being those with a hearing impairment aged between 15 and 25.

The organiser of the pageant, Miss Messiah Makuane, the Rehabilitation officer at Gaborone City Council, said the purpose of the pageant was to make people aware of these children as it seemd like no one recognized that they had the ability to participate in occasions like beauty pageants and even modeling. She said they also wanted to build their self-esteem and make them know that they are recognized in society.

“We want them to realize that they are not abandoned,” she said. It was the first time the Gaborone City Council had hosted such an event which Miss Makuane said it will now be held annually.

“We intend to hold this event every year with different disabled children,” she said, adding tha,t for the coming years, it will be different groups such as albinos and those with visual problems. The event was made possible by Limkokwing University, Notwane Pharmacy, Botswana Craft, Home Corp, BPOMAS, Capitol Cinema and Motor Centre. ENDS