14 Feb 2024

The tendency of orphaned youth indulging in drug abuse and dropping out of school as an easy way out to avoid the pain associated with their loss has been condemned by Miss Botswana 2024 Top 10 finalist, Lefika Tladi said during her welcome ceremony at Morwa kgotla recently.

Tladi who hails from Morwa, an orphan herself, discouraged orphans and vulnerable children from engaging in social ills, saying they should work hard despite the negative psychological impact brought about by the death of their parents.

 Narrating that losing her parents did not cause her to give up her dreams, but rather  encouraged her to work hard and pursue her pageantry dream, enchoring her will power on the Setswana saying ‘se a re go tlogelwa tsatsing se ikise moriting’ literally meaning when help is gone life still goes on.

She emphasised that self-acceptance by orphans and vulnerable children was important if they desired to live a meaningful life.

The title aspirant said her project dubbed; Re Enlighten, will be a beacon of hope for the orphans and vulnerable children due to the life struggles they faced, by bringing light back to their lives through empowerment, education, emotional healing and skills development.

“I therefore appeal to the private sector to help government to do routine screening for mental health in schools and other settings in Botswana to reduce vulnerability of undiagnosed depression amongst orphaned youth,” she said.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Eric Ntshole of Morwa urged the community to support Tladi in bringing the crown home, stating that a lot of opportunities would be availed through projects to be carried out by the contestant provided she wins.

Kgosi Ntshole said Tladi’s Re Enlighten project would play a crucial role in today’s society, where orphans and vulnerable children resorted to using drugs as a way of soothing themselves.

“I do believe Tladi’s project will extend a helping hand to the available government initiatives that are meant to help orphans and vulnerable children, so let us do our all to ensure she brings the crown home,” Kgosi Ntshole said.

He encouraged the youth to emulate Tladi by working hard despite the challenges ahead of them.

Morwa’s Councillor Opakile Setlhabi commended Tladi for the hardwork and resilience she portrayed since the competition.

Cllr Setlhabi said Tladi was a living proof that a person’s future was entirely dependent on the foundation they laid as they grew.

He said orphans and vulnerable children should not limit themselves, but rather work hard to leave a legacy.

Tladi is Miss St Joseph’s College 2018.  Ends