26 Aug 2019

Gojwane, a small settlement in the Tonota sub-district has made its mark by dominating Miss Rural Area Development Programme (RADP) at the district level. Since the inception of the programme in 2013, the district, the crown has always been won by one of the beauty queens from the area.

The programme promotes sustainable livelihoods for communities and individuals residing in remote areas and was undertaken to promote and encourage direct participation of remote area communities in arts and culture, in accordance with the affirmative action framework of the revised RADP of 2009.

There are two settlements in Tonota Sub-district that participate in this programme with the other one being Mabesekwa.

This year’s pageant, which is in its seventh anniversary, saw yet again another beauty queen from Gojwane, Olebogile Oganne ,21 winning the 2019/2020 Mr and Miss RADP pageant. Lebitso Oneetsi ,19 and Tumiso Kgaogano, 20 from the same settlement, were crowned first and second princess respectively

Last year, 22-year-old Bosele Thamae of the same settlement walked away with the crown. The titleholder Oganne, had to prove herself before the panel of judges as she won the hearts of many in the audience.  

She oozed confidence and her smile complimented her impressive composure as she responded to a question on what she will do to improve the lives of the youth residing in remote rural areas if she was to walk away with the crown.

Oganne, who could not hide her excitement, said she saw it coming when she managed to make it to the top five and top three.

She won herself a voucher of P4 000 and a one-night accommodation for two at Cresta Marang Gardens while the second and third princes went home P3 000 and P2 000 richer, courtesy of Tonota Sub-District Council.

Other contestants received P1 000 each  as consolation prices. The queen, first and second princesses will represent Tonota at the RADP pageant district level scheduled for September in Bobonong hosted by Bobirwa Sub District.

Ain Dithupa, still from Gojwane, was crowned this year’s Mr RADP taking over from Kemmapatse Ontlametse who is also from Gojwane and went home with P1 000 whilst the other three male contestants got consolation prizes of P800. Giving a keynote address, area MP and Minister of Tertiary Education, Research Science and Technology, Thapelo Olopeng said the pageant was aimed at empowering young ladies and man.

These young ladies and man would spearhead a transformation agenda and produce young leaders particularly women, who will lead development issues to improve the livelihoods of their communities.

Olopeng said since its inception, the RADP pageant had grown but there was still room for improvement to attract more participants.

He said the pageant was consistent with government’s effort to develop and promote sustainable livelihoods for communities and individuals residing in the remote areas, to reduce dependency on government and promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods as well as to achieve full integration to make the young ladies to compete reasonably with their counterparts in the rest of the country.

Olopeng further said Tonota sub-district had shown eagerness to unearth talent among young members of the remote area communities as a commitment to the development of the art industry. 

He said he was impressed by the fact that Tonota Sub-District Council continued to budget for the initiative as well as in sourcing sponsorship to make the event a reality.

The pageant was held under the theme: Young and vibrant; Unearthing natural beauty and talent. Ends