24 Sep 2024

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Talita Monnakgotla, has hailed the success of RADP beauty pageant and fashion show saying it has empowered communities and the youth residing in rural area settlements. 

Speaking during the Charleshill Mr and Miss RADP beauty pageant and fashion show held over the weekend, she said the initiative started in 2013 aimed at assimilating Rural Area Dwellers (RADs) into other economic mainstream activities, to accelerate the economic growth of those communities. 

She also highlighted that the project also promoted behavioural change amongst the youth as well as unearthing and nurturing their natural talents to earn a living. Since its inception, she said the initiative had grown in leaps and bounds as it has begun to gain popularity and significance in the local modelling industry. 

To attest to the growth of the project, she said it had secured sponsorship to the tune P50 000 from the Botswana Tourism Organisation and bagged another one from First National Bank at the tune of P500 000 for the upcoming grand finale in November.  Monnakgotla said the sponsorships were a clear indication of the existing stakeholder collaboration with government to promote the project for it to reach its full potential in the near future. 

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Charleshill District Council chairperson, Kealeboga Gaebuse, implored the participants to give their best in the competition for them to retain the king’s crown. 

Meanwhile, Kresian Qoma was crowned the king, Robison Hendricks first prince and Batsile Simon scooped the second prince pisition, Puso Xhari scooped the third prince while Joseph Hendrick settled for the fourth prince spot.

As for the ladies, Belinda Tjienda was crowned Miss RADP, Bontle Khaise scooped the first princess and Ludo Tjienda scooped the second princess. Ends