23 Sep 2018

Letlhakeng Sub-district on September 22 held its annual Miss RADP at Thebephatshwa Airbase, and for the first time since its inception in 2014, also included Mr RADP Fashion Show to also give male youths from the remote areas a chance to showcase their talents.

The beauty pageant saw a total of 20 queens from the five remote area villages under Letlhakeng Sub-district, being Sorilatholo, Tshwaane, Khekhenye, Kaudwane and Diphuduhudu trying their luck.

In the end, 24-year-old Mmatlhopho Tatseo of Kaudwane emerged the queen ahead of Kenalemang Diphera of Sorilatholo, who was the first princess while Bagaketse Gabotlhobogwe, also of Sorilatholo settlement, was crowned the second princess.

Expressing her delight at the throne, Tatseo said she was a bit shocked to have gone all the way to claim the throne looking at the fact that the competition was tough.

“There was a large number of participants and that alone made the competition tough before it even started, but even though I was a bit shocked when announced the winner, at the same time I think I deserved it looking at the amount of effort I put into my preparations,” she said.

The youthful queen, who currently stays at Kaudwane unemployed, indicated that her natural air of confidence contributed to making her the queen and that she would have to double her efforts in preparations for the next stage.

“The higher you go the tougher it gets, so more effort is needed in the preparations. I will have to be abreast with current affairs issues and government initiatives, especially those focused on RADP to better prepare for judges’ questions,” she said.

Tatseo said her aim would be to better her best level ever since she started participating in the Miss RADP Pageant, which was going all the way to the Nationals in 2015.

For his part, the winner of the Mr RADP Fashion Show, Tankiso Kehumile of Diphuduhudu, who beat eight others, appreciated government for giving the male rural community youth a chance to also showcase the talents they have.  

He said since the Mr RADP Fashion Show was in its first year, preparations were a bit tricky as they did not know what to expect.

“Now that we have hindsight, we will be in a better position to prepare for the district level next month,” he said.

The 20-year-old lad beat Ontlametse Kelaegile of Kaudwane, who came in position two while Mosireletsi Maitshwenyo of Tshwaane settled for the third opposition.

In his words of motivation, the Letlhakeng Sub-district Council chairperson, Cllr Tlotlo Batlhophi appreciated government for finding the need to include males in the initiative, which he said was a welcome gender balance as it would also give the males a chance to unearth their talents.

He encouraged the participants and all residents of RADP to develop courage and dispel fear of mingling with the mainstream society, saying that fear alone had the potential to totally kill any talent that one may have.

Batlhophi said such events as Miss RADP and Mr RADP Fashion Show were welcome as they would help remote area dwellers develop some confidence.

The district level of the pageant will be next month while the Nationals are expected in November. ENDS