09 Aug 2018

 - Katlego Mabangu is this year’s winner of Miss Teen Palapye beauty pageant.

The 17- year-old took over the crown from Camellia Mphoyakgosi who won the 2016 Palapye Miss Teen Palapye.

Her first and second princesses are Kealeboga Metseyabeng and Connie Koolatotse respectively.

In an interview Katlego conceded that the competition was tough because her competitors were beautiful, brilliant and had amazing ideas.

“Winning the pageant is overwhelming and gives me a sense of pride and high self-esteem,” she said, adding that the experience turned her into a confident and virtuous woman.

The ambitious young woman explained that she is going to work hand in hand with community leaders, help unprivileged children and inspire other young girls to follow their dreams.

 “Being a queen comes with responsibilities therefore my focus will be on youth empowerment and motivating a girl child to follow her dream,” she said.

Meanwhile, Miss Teen Palapye organiser, David Nkomo explained that the pageant was founded in 2016 with an aim to provide young girls with a sense of self-empowerment.

The annual beauty pageant is for girls between 13-19 years and is open to both school going and out of school teenage girls.

Through this pageant we want to give teens the opportunity to express themselves, give exposure and display their talent and skills to the world,” he said.

He says the beauty pageant also gives young girls the opportunity to compete in pageants like Miss Teen Universe Botswana and Miss Independence.

He further explained that the pageant also promotes local culture with traditional attire designed locally.  

He highlighted that teenagers are faced with challenges like teenage pregnancy and use of alcohol and drug abuse, therefore beauty pageants help to mould them into responsible women.

Former Miss Teen Palapye, Camellia Mphoyakgosi advised her peers to be hardworking and self-driven to achieve their dreams.She urged them to form clubs and do community projects in order to engage more with people and help the needy.

The beauty pageant was sponsored by Cresta Botsalo Hotel, Phatal cellphone, BD Link, Kanemo fashion design and overtech printing. ENDS