17 Jan 2022

Of the 25 women who auditioned for the 13th edition of Miss Millennium pageant scheduled for next month, only 12 made the cut.

Women from different parts of the country aged 40 and above attended the Saturday auditions that took place at Millennium Jazz Restaurant in Mogoditshane.

Theresa Kowa, Betty Mbaembae, Moanokeng Sebobi, Reginah Gaolebale, Tapiwa Joseph, Abigail Maruping, Kelly Adams, Rula Piet, Gaolebogwe Bolele, Tebogo Motlhabane, Keitumetse Utlwang and Keikantse Kentse will compete for the Miss Millennium crown that has existed since 2008.

Chief organiser, Zenzele Hirschfield told BOPA that the pageant was designed to celebrate and encourage beauty among women aged 40 and above, some of whom who had been passionate about beauty pageantry from a young age and others who had participated in different pageants and represented the country.

Hirschfield said the pageant ignited a love for beauty pageants that the women had but gave up because of responsibilities such as motherhood. She said the pageant also encouraged community building, empowerment and care for the needy and people living with disabilities.

“Part of the money raised will be used on prizes while some will be ploughed back into the community, to assist the disadvantaged,” she said. One of the founders, Felicity Bogacu said the focus was to unearth talent not only in towns and cities but from villages and rural areas as well.

“Our intention is to keep supporting women in rural and developing countries, we want to empower them and provide them a competitive platform to showcase their talents, exchange skills and network,” she said.

Bogacu said the pageant was also to afford women a chance to contribute meaningfully to community development and inspire the girl-child. A judge, Basadi Masimolole commended contestants for their participation. She encouraged them to work more on boosting their confidence. Ends