01 Dec 2024

A 13-year-old young woman with hearing impairment from Francistown Centre For The Deaf, Lucia Kerebotswe on Friday won the disability pageant organized by the Office of the District Commissioner in the second city.

The event was a curtain-raiser for International Day of People Living with Disability which will be held on December 12 at Adonsonia in Francistown. However, Kerebotswe impressed on the stage in different parades during the pageant.

Despite having hearing impairment, she portrayed good dancing skills as her dance moves blended well with a song which was played during contestant’s dancing challenge.

Her dazzling gold dress, decorated with a touch of yellowish furry material on the right shoulder, complimented her beauty in the night.

Kerebotswe’s perfect walk and elegant smile got her presence on the stage to be felt, with audience cheering for her fantastic performance.

After being crowned the winner, Kerebotswe expressed her happiness, saying it was an overwhelming feeling to emerge victorious in the pageant.

She said it was her first time to participate in a pageant of that nature and she was very grateful for the moment.

Meanwhile first and second princess went to Ellen Kgosiesele and Faith Tshukudu respectively, who also have hearing impairment.

Both Kgosiesele and Tshukudu on their pretty dresses gave the audience a beautiful night by displaying good performance.

In his remarks, Francistown Assistant District Commissioner, Patrick Isaac said, with the disability pageant they were paving way for the main event of International day of people living with disability which is approaching.

Isaac said disability was not inability’, noting that lacking certain abilities did not define a person’s potential, which he said has been witnessed through the pageant.

Though contestants have visual and hearing impairment, he said, such events brought happiness to them as they felt inclusive and empowered without being discriminated because they were allowed to do activities done by others without disability.

Isaac said the contestants were from Francistown center for the deaf and others from Lesedi Center for the blind in Francistown.

The International day of people living with disability will be commemorated under the theme, ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.’ The Assistant Minister for State President, Ms Maipelo Mophuting is expected to officiate at the event. Ends